Meet the 2025 USO Service Members of the Year

The USO is honored to name the 2025 USO Service Members of the Year, who are being recognized for their heroic and selfless actions.

Each year, people who serve in each of the military branches are nominated by their command leadership for performing extraordinary acts of bravery that exemplify the values of the Armed Forces and the USO. Get to know this year’s honorees:

Chief Petty Officer Pearce M. Decker | USO Sailor of the Year 2025

U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Pearce Decker’s heroic actions took place when a teammate was ejected into the ocean at night in rough seas. Without hesitation, Pearce sprang into action, locating the displaced operator and directing a rescue swimmer to their location. After successfully coordinating a two-and-a-half-hour search and rescue, Pearce had ensured the safety of his teammate, all while withstanding 8-foot waves in the dark of night.

“During the event, I was initially thinking ‘are we going to make it through this?’” Pearce explained. “I was very concerned for the well-being of my team and myself.”

However, Pearce credits the successful rescue of his teammate and completion of their mission to a team effort of not just himself, but also his fellow service members alongside him.

For this moment of action in the midst of a high-pressure situation, Pearce received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the Navy’s highest non-combat decoration awarded for heroism, a testament to his extraordinary bravery and selfless dedication to duty.

Chief Petty Officer Pearce Decker is originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is currently stationed in Oahu, Hawaii.

Spc. Brandon T. Moore and Spc. Ethan M. Ward | USO National Guard Members of the Year 2025

U.S. National Guard Specialists Brandon T. Moore and Ethan M. Ward distinguished themselves by saving the lives of several civilians while conducting disaster response during Hurricane Helene in Erwin, Tennessee, in September 2024.

While traveling through flash flooding to a local hospital to evacuate patients in the middle of the storm, their military vehicle was struck by debris and tipped over – and the cab of their vehicle quickly filled with water.

“I kept myself as calm as possible and affirmed to my teammate that we had to get out and save ourselves,” Ethan said. “It was only when the vehicle and cab were completely submerged that we escaped … at the last possible moment.”

In a race against time, Brandon and Ethan managed to get out of their vehicle and swim to a pile of debris, where they held on amidst the rushing flash flood waters. While waiting there for rescue by first responders, they saw six people being swept down the river, clinging to debris to stay afloat. Without regard for their personal safety, Brandon and Ethan reached into the water and rescued each of the six civilians, pulling them to safety. While evaluating the civilians for injuries, Brandon and Ethan also got the attention of first responders on land and coordinated a helicopter rescue purely by using hand and arm signals, demonstrating excellent crisis management skills. When the Blackhawk arrived, both specialists worked with the flight crew to ensure that the civilians were airlifted into the helicopter safely before they too were rescued.

“I can confidently say I had no idea how I would react to a scenario like that, but I relied on my instincts, judgment, critical thinking skills, and training to save myself, my teammate and the civilians,” Ethan said.

In the alarming moment in which their vehicle had tipped over, Brandon explained that his first thought was of his son back home. However, as soon as he saw the civilians in need, he jumped into action.

“Even though I was in the rough position as well, the moment that the civilians washed up to us, I knew that my emotions had to be set to the side to take care of them,” Brandon said. “It was a very life changing experience [and I would never] change what happened because I was there for a reason.”

Spc. Brandon Moore is from Portsmouth, Virginia, and Spc. Ethan Ward is from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Both are currently serving with the 776th Maintenance Company in Elizabethton, Tennessee.

Boatswain Mate 3rd Class Logan Boyd | USO Coast Guard Member of the Year 2025

U.S. Coast Guard Boatswain Mate 3rd Class Logan Boyd was part of a Coast Guard crew responding to a report of a drowning victim in Destin, Florida, when he saw a parent desperately holding their lifeless infant on the shore. Without hesitation, he approached and began to administer CPR to the child while also gathering crucial information from the assembled crowd and family. Recognizing the urgency of the child’s condition, he continued performing CPR while onboard the Coast Guard boat and at the Coast Guard station. His care resulted in successful resuscitation of the girl and her transfer to emergency medical personnel.

“When the crew and I were dispatched that day, we weren’t sure what kind of situation we were heading into. We knew someone was in need of CPR, but the details were unclear, which left our minds racing with possibilities,” Logan explained. “As our boat approached the beach, someone from the group of bystanders shouted that it was a baby that needed help. In that moment, something took over and I didn’t think, I just acted.”

Logan’s calm demeanor under pressure and his immediate and decisive actions were instrumental in saving the infant’s life, and he credits his training and crew for their ability to do so.

“I am extremely grateful for the outcome and glad that we were there to help,” he said.

Boatswain Mate 3rd Class Logan Boyd is originally from Sunbury, Ohio, and is currently stationed at Coast Guard Station Destin, Florida.

Senior Airman Anthony Palacios | USO Airman of the Year 2025

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Anthony Palacios was responsible for identifying and helping a service member with suicidal thoughts – ultimately ensuring the safety of his coworker.

One day, Anthony noticed that a fellow airman was acting disconnected, which was unusual for this person, as they were normally very upbeat and energetic. Anthony pulled the service member into a private space where they could talk, where the service member opened up to Anthony about recent family losses and personal challenges. Anthony then learned that the service member had already considered, identified and planned a way to end their life, and was truly hurting and in need of support. When Anthony asked, “If I let you leave today, will I see you tomorrow?” the other service member simply responded: “I don’t know,” confirming Anthony’s fears. Upon hearing these words, Anthony decided to act.

He stayed by their side and contacted a superior officer, who facilitated the service member’s to a hospital to receive treatment.

This treatment took four months, and through it all, Anthony continued to show up for this service member, providing support.

“I was able to see they were struggling and get them help,” Anthony said.

The service member has credited Anthony’s intervention with saving their life, and today – in a full-circle moment – that service member is now a suicide prevention advocate. They use their conversation with Anthony as an example in their trainings to show how to be a good wingman and leader to those around you by paying attention, listening and advocating for those who may need a little extra help.

While deployed to the Middle East, Senior Airman Anthony Palacios has volunteered many hours at his base’s USO Center, and has led a team to establish a new USO location at a U.S. Army Patriot missile site, which has been crucial for boosting morale. Anthony was also named a USO Volunteer of the Month for his efforts to support his fellow service members. Senior Airman Anthony Palacios is originally from San Antonio, Texas and currently stationed in Germany.

Tech Sgt. Isabel Childress | USO Guardian of the Year 2025

U.S. Space Force Tech Sgt. Isabel Childress was off-duty when she encountered two life-threating situations and transformed her ordinary days into extraordinary acts of heroism.

On the first occasion, Isabel witnessed a three-car accident and assumed the role of first responder. She rushed to assess the victims, checked for signs of consciousness and any injuries and kept the individuals conscious until emergency services arrived, who she then supported by providing crucial information about the accident.

On the second occasion, Isabel was hailed by a distressed individual seeking help for a high-ranking foreign military member who had been found slumped over the wheel of his vehicle. Recognizing the signs of a heart attack, Isabel swiftly took control of the situation by securing the vehicle and nearby roadway, gathering information about the victim’s symptoms and monitoring their status to maintain consciousness. Her transfer of vital information to the medical team was crucial to a smooth transition of care, further demonstrating her unwavering commitment to saving lives.

“Honestly, I never considered my actions to be heroic. My sole focus during both car accidents was on assisting the people involved,” Isabel said. “In both situations, my actions were purely instinctual. My sole focus was on the individuals needing help.”

Tech. Sgt. Isabel Childress is originally from Middletown, Delaware, and serves as a military training instructor for the U.S. Space Force Basic Military Training. She is currently stationed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

Lance Cpl. Justin J. Marty | USO Marine of the Year 2025

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Justin J. Marty demonstrated extraordinary bravery when he rushed to assist two Marines trapped in a burning vehicle that had veered off the road.

Justin had just completed a 9+ hour drive from Nevada to California, as he was PCS-ing to his new duty station on the day of the incident. He had just dropped his bags off and was going to grab something to eat when he witnessed a vehicle veer off the road and roll into a ditch. Justin and fellow Marines nearby immediately rushed toward the vehicle.

“Inside the vehicle were two unconscious Marines, and the strong smell of fuel immediately raised concerns. My first thought was, ‘We need to get them out now before this brush goes up,’” Justin recalled.

Despite the imminent danger and extreme conditions, he joined a team of Marines in extracting the injured personnel from the wreckage, moving them to safety – just moments later, the crashed vehicle erupted into flames.

Justin assisted in providing critical care to the injured Marines until first responders could arrive, and also drove up the road and parked his own vehicle to help redirect traffic, creating a clear path for emergency crews to reach the burning vehicle.

Justin’s calm demeanor and decisive leadership in the high-pressure situation were instrumental in saving two lives and preventing further harm.

Lance Cpl. Justin J. Marty is from Washoe, Nevada, and is currently stationed at Camp Pendleton, California.

Sgt. 1st Class Ross Robertson | USO Soldier of the Year 2025

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Ross Robertson demonstrated extraordinary bravery while rescuing two wounded service members during a mission in Iraq.

Ross’ teammates came under fire from the enemy and were gravely injured. Ross ran directly into the line of fire to pull his fellow service members to safety and quickly provided tactical combat casualty care to their injuries.

“The first thing going through my mind at that time was how to get to my teammates as quickly and tactfully as possible,” Ross recalled. “In these types of experiences, there often isn’t much time to process the situation fully, which is why we train for similar situations repeatedly prior to each deployment. My teammates and I are fortunate enough to have some of the best training available and are all alive because of it.”

Later, medical personnel assessed that had it not been for Ross’ quick actions and bravery in the face of deadly enemy force, one or both wounded men would not have survived.

Sgt. 1st Class Ross Robertson is originally from Oakgrove, Missouri, and is currently stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

All of these service members embody the values of our nation’s Armed Forces, and we are proud to call them the 2025 USO Service Members of the Year.