Boys State alum posthumously receives the Soldier’s Medal
Photo courtesy Tom Surdyke's family/ArmyTimes

Boys State alum posthumously receives the Soldier’s Medal

At only 19 years old, West Point cadet and 2014 Missouri Boys State alum Tom Surdyke died trying to save the life of a civilian he had just met while vacationing at a beach on Long Island, N.Y.

On June 24, he and the civilian got pulled out to sea in a riptide. Surdyke posthumously received the Soldier’s Medal, the highest non-combat valor award in the Army, for saving a life.

According to an article by ArmyTimes, it was Surdyke's participation at American Legion Boys State that inspired him to pursue a military career.

“On the way home (from Boys State) he said ‘I want to become an officer in the military and serve this country and its people,’” said Tim Surdyke, Tom's father, according to ArmyTimes. “Just like that, bam, it was done.”

Mike Stewart, former Missouri Boys State director, said, "We are very sad about the death of one our own. He was an outstanding young man from a prominent St. Louis family. We have communicated this event and Cadet Surdyke's death within our Boys State family, and we are mourning together."