Decorated Kentucky Guard medic retires following career of lifesaving service

FRANKFORT, Ky. — After 27 years of military service that included combat deployments, lifesaving rescue missions during Kentucky's historic 2022 floods and decades of mentoring fellow medics, Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Lowe retired honorably.

Family members, friends and fellow Soldiers gathered during a ceremony hosted at Joint Force Headquarters July 29 to celebrate a career defined by selfless service, leadership and an unwavering commitment to caring for others.

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Throughout his career, Lowe deployed five times to the Middle East, participated in numerous disaster response missions and helped save dozens of lives during some of Kentucky's most challenging emergencies.

Among Lowe's most notable contributions were the rescue missions he conducted during the devastating eastern Kentucky floods in 2022. Serving as a flight paramedic aboard a Kentucky Army National Guard MEDEVAC helicopter, Lowe helped rescue stranded residents from rooftops and trees as floodwaters overwhelmed communities across the region. His actions earned him the Kentucky Medal of Valor and recognition as a Kentucky Colonel.

Lowe, however, was quick to credit those who served alongside him.

Working with fellow flight medic Sgt. 1st Class Shaun Morris, the pair completed dozens of rescue hoist missions over the years, including operations during the 2022 floods, rescues at Natural Bridge State Resort Park and hurricane response missions in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"It was really Shaun who deserves most of the credit," Lowe said during the ceremony. "He was operating the hoist. I was just the 'dope on a rope.’”

Morris said Lowe's humility has always been one of his defining characteristics.

"He is the epitome of a flight paramedic," Morris said. "He's someone who truly cares about the profession and would go above and beyond to set the MEDEVAC mission up for success here in Kentucky and abroad."

Morris said Lowe routinely sacrificed time away from his family to ensure Kentucky's flight paramedics remained trained and prepared for any mission.

"He sacrificed countless days away from home to ensure his flight paramedics were trained to the highest standards," Morris said.

Lowe's military career began in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served as a military policeman and weapons instructor before joining the Kentucky Army National Guard. As a combat medic and later a flight paramedic, he became known for his calm demeanor under pressure and his commitment to mentoring younger Soldiers.

During nearly three decades of service, Lowe earned qualifications in eight military occupational specialties across both branches. In addition to his five deployments to the Middle East, he supported five large-scale military exercises, responded to five major disaster relief operations in Kentucky and participated in 10 state search-and-rescue missions that resulted in approximately 50 civilian rescues.

In recent years, Lowe served as a noncommissioned officer in the Kentucky Army National Guard's G3 Operations section, where he helped coordinate training, readiness and operational planning across the state. His work ensured Kentucky National Guard units remained prepared to respond to both federal missions and state emergencies.

"Sgt. 1st Class Lowe is a force multiplier," said Command Sgt. Maj. Naarah Stallard, Kentucky Army National Guard G3 sergeant major and emcee of the ceremony. "His knowledge and expertise strengthened both the G3 and the combat medic community. While his presence will be deeply missed, the impact of his leadership will continue shaping future generations of Soldiers."

U.S. Army Col. Gabriel Spicer, commander of the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, said he recognized Lowe's potential early in his aviation career.

"Jeremy made an immediate impact to Kentucky aviation when he joined the MEDEVAC unit before the 2009 Kosovo deployment," Spicer said. "I knew from the beginning he was destined to be a great leader. His attitude, work ethic and limitless capability helped drive our organization's success at the unit, state and national levels. He will be missed, and I thank him for his service to this great nation."

As the ceremony ended, Lowe reflected less on his accomplishments than on the relationships he built throughout his career.

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything that you have poured into me," Lowe said. "I really appreciate everybody here today."

Looking ahead, Lowe said he and his family are embracing a new adventure. They plan to sell their home, pack their belongings into a camper and spend more time visiting their children and grandchildren across the country.

"If you want to meet up, message me," Lowe said with a smile. "I'll tell you what state I'm in, and we can go from there."

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