Seneca Falls resident Keith Tidball, a New York Guard member, received NYS Military Commendation Medal
New York Guard volunteer honored for fast-thinking reaction to automobile wreck
Latham, NY (11/21/2019) — Keith Tidball, a Seneca Falls resident and Cornell University professor, has been awarded the New York State Military Commendation Medal for responding to a February 2, 2019 accident on Routes 5 and 20 in Seneca Falls.
Tidball is a captain in the New York Guard, the state's volunteer, uniformed self-defense force. The New York Guard augments the National Guard during disasters and state emergencies.
The incident took place on Feb. 2, while Tidball was traveling eastbound in his pickup truck on State Routes 5 and 20. Two vehicles in front of him had collided, creating a dangerous situation as two occupants of one of the vehicles left their car looking dazed and disoriented.
Tidball maneuvered his vehicle and turned on the flashers to block oncoming traffic from hitting the wrecked vehicles.
Tidball then enlisted the aid of an onlooker to help flag down traffic to reduce speeds in the accident area. He directed that person to call 911 while he proceeded to the accidents scene and began administering first aid using a first aid kit he retrieved from his truck.
He took care of a laceration on the hand of one victim and continued to access both individuals for injuries or wounds. He also re-entered the four-lane road to determine if there were injuries to the occupants of the other vehicle.
When police and emergency medical teams arrived on the scene, Tidball briefed them on his observations before leaving the scene.
His award recognizes his "commendable devotion to duty" in taking the actions he took that day.
Tidball has served in the New York Guard since 2001. Prior to that he served in the New York Army National Guard but was forced to leave in 1993 due to an injury.
Media Attachments
New York Guard Captain Keith Tidball (left) a Seneca Falls resident, receives the New York State Military Commendation Medal from New York Guard Colonel Steven Molik, the Commander of the 10th Area Command, during a ceremony at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill on August 6, 2019. (Division of Military and Naval Affairs photo by New York Guard Spec. Michael T. Rehbaum)
New York National Guard
Col. Richard Goldenberg, 518-786-4581Share this Story
Recent News
- NY Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Isabel Rivera Smith, ends 40-year military career during April 24 retirement ceremony
- NY Army One-Star General and Lorain Native Isabel Rivera Smith, Retires after 40 Plus Years of Military Service
- Col. Joseph Miller, a Waterville resident, takes command of New York air Guard's 224th Air Defense Group
- Smithtown, resident Salvatore Garcia promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the New York Army National Guard
- Col. Jennifer King, a Prospect resident, takes command of the Easter Air Defense Sector
- NY Air Guard's 107th Attack Wing gets a new Operations Group commander during March 8 ceremony
- New Windsor resident Corey Root promoted to major in the New York Army National Guard
- Lt. Col. Dage McNitt, a Ballston Lake resident, retires after 38 years of service in the Army National Guard
- Training involving explosive simulators and smoke will take place a Camp Smith April 17-18
- NY Army Guard Staff Sgt. Derek Tucker, a Corning resident, wins NY Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition