'They Are Heroes,' Commanding Officer Says of Paris Train Heroes

Lt Col Richard Smith said the actions taken by three men to disarm a gunman on a train was one of the purest examples of service before self he has ever seen. “They are heroes, plain and simple,” he said. Smith is the commanding officer for Spencer Stone, one of the three men. Stone is recovering and is in good spirits, he said. He will be able to return to full duty in a few months.

Smith was asked if Stone’s nickname is Captain America, and he said he has never heard that. He did say Stone has a good heart and is larger than life. “We all would agree that if you’re looking for a nickname, that would be a good one,” he said.

Stone, Oregon National Guardsman Aleksander Skarlatos and college student Anthony Sadler helped subdue the gunman when he emerged from a bathroom with an assault rifle.

Smith’s statement came after he issued a statement from Stone, who is recovering from injuries at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Stone said in the statement he is humbled by the attention and believes anyone in his position would do the same. He offered thanks to everyone who had reached out and had called him and his friends heroes. Credit: 86th Airlift Wing