Spokesperson Bios

Staff Sgt. Zackary Filip, a combat medic in the U.S. Army, was named the 2010 Army Times Soldier of the Year. He was honored for his bravery in saving the lives of multiple soldiers, most notably during the Nov. 5, 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, and during his deployment in Afghanistan.

The 25-year-old Denton, Texas, native, serves as the medical platoon sergeant in the 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team with the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood. He is the senior medic in his platoon and leads a squadron of nearly 40 soldiers, where he is in charge of his team’s professional and personal growth and development. Filip has been in the Army for five years and is one of the youngest platoon sergeants at Fort Hood.

Filip credits the Army for providing him with the medical training and the skills, both physical and mental, it took to help save several lives during the shooting. He humbly claims that he was just doing his job when he pulled police Sgt. Kimberly Munley away from the gunfire and, without any medical supplies, used his belt as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding from the gunshot wounds in her leg. He then started treating as many injured soldiers as he could. He acknowledges that he could not have done his job without the other courageous personnel around him that day.

While deployed in Afghanistan, Filip received the Bronze Star and was twice awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor for courageously treating and evacuating several soldiers during attacks.

Filip joined the Army to grow personally, earn money for college and set himself on a path into the medical field. Filip plans to continue his career as a soldier and is advancing his medical education and training while in the Army. His goal is to enter the Interservice Physician Assistant Program at Fort Sam Houston.

Filip, who is a father to three sons, is married to a former soldier. His wife is actively involved in the Army Family Readiness Group, which provides community networking and support for Army families. His younger brother is also a soldier at Fort Hood.