Glendon Oakley Jr.
Glendon Garfield Oakley Jr. (December 16, 1996 – April 8, 2020[1]) was a United States Army private who has been called a hero for helping escort unaccompanied children during the 2019 El Paso shooting. His tale went viral, earning him an Army Commendation Medal, but later it prompted skeptical comments from police, who said they could not verify Oakley's claims. Authorities did not interview the people who were at the mall because of the distance and therefore cannot verify Oakley's story. “We have no independent confirmation to support his claims,” Sgt. Enrique Carrillo said. “Nobody has come forward and told us that their child or anyone else was saved.” Since then, Oakley was held at the Bell County Jail. A detail from Fort Bliss was sent to extradite him for being “absent without leave,” said Master. Sgt. Vin Stevens, an installation spokesman, offering few details. [2][3][4]
Glendon Oakley Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | Glendon Garfield Oakley Jr. December 16, 1996 Killeen, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | April 8, 2020 (aged 23) Fort Bliss, Texas, U.S. |
| Other names | Glendon Oakley Junior, Glendon Oakley Jr. |
| Occupation | Army Private |
| Years active | 2017–2020 |
| Employer | United States Army |
| Known for | Saving lives during the 2019 El Paso shooting Arrested for being absent without leave |
| Spouse |
Tiandra Hamilton (m. 2019) |
| Awards | National Defense Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Army Service Ribbon |
Early life and career
Oakley was born December 16, 1996.[2] He grew up in Killeen, Texas.[5] He was the son of retired sergeant major Glendon Oakley Sr. (Who served for 31 years before retiring in 2011) and retired master sergeant Wendolyn D. Oakley (Who served for 15 years before being leaving the service in 2001), and the brother of retired captain Glenda Oakley (Who served for 5 years before being leaving the service in 2009).[2]
Oakley was recruited by the United States Army in Macon, Georgia.[2] He graduated from Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training in March 2018.[2] He served as a private in the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss,[3] and he was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.[4]
El Paso shooting
On August 4, 2019, Oakley was off duty and shopping at a Foot Locker store near the Cielo Vista Mall when he became aware of the shooting. He later explained:
I didn't even think. I just grabbed as many kids as I could and ran five stores down to the exit. [...] We got there and ran into a whole batch of police pointing their guns at us. I wasn't focused on myself, and I wasn't focused on my surroundings ... I was just focused on those kids.
— Glendon Oakley Jr., August 4, 2019[2]
Oakley was praised by El Paso police Chief Greg Allen for saving many lives.[6] During his El Paso visit on August 8, 2019, President Donald J. Trump met Oakley and remarked, "What a job he did."[6]
Death
Oakley was found dead in his quarters at Fort Bliss on April 8, 2020. No cause of death was stated, but the possibility of foul play was denied.[7]
See also
References
- "Glendon Oakley Obituary - Killeen, TX".
- Keller, Jared (August 4, 2019). "Meet the 22-year-old soldier who saved children at the El Paso shooting and is being called a hero". Business Insider. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- Cannon, Jay (August 5, 2019). "After El Paso shooting, Glendon Oakley Jr. is being hailed as a hero. He says attention is on the wrong person". USA Today. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- Shane, Leo III (August 4, 2019). "Fort Bliss soldier hailed as hero in El Paso mall shooting". Army Times. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- Hochman, Nate (August 6, 2019). "Glendon Oakley Jr., the Hero of El Paso". National Review. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- Borunda, Daniel; Kolenc, Vic (August 8, 2019). "President Donald Trump praises heroes in El Paso visit after Walmart shooting". El Paso Times. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- Rempfer, Kyle (April 10, 2020). "Soldier praised for his actions during El Paso shooting found dead". ArmyTimes. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved 3 July 2021.