Stories of Services

U.S. Army Captain Emily Malcom distinguished herself when her hometown of Kerrville, Texas, was devastated by catastrophic flash flooding on July 4, 2025, caused by the swelling Guadalupe River that resulted in over 100 fatalities. Upon learning of the crisis, Malcom did not hesitate to act. Despite being stationed at Fort Bliss with the 5th Armored Brigade, she selflessly arranged emergency leave and drove overnight to reach her community. Malcom reported for duty on July 7, quickly integrating herself with a volunteer fire department and collaborating with a search and rescue team to lead recovery operations.

Across more than 180 hours of service, Malcom tackled hazardous terrain and dangerous flood conditions to locate victims without regard to her own safety, and provided families with closure in their time of grief. Her determination under immense emotional pressure reaffirmed why she wears the uniform, as well as her unwavering commitment to her community and others.

As both an Army Reservist and law enforcement officer, Malcom personifies selfless service in multiple uniforms. The community of Kerrville benefited from her ability to bridge her dual roles, leveraging military discipline and civil familiarity with the region to foster efficient teamwork. Drawing upon her experience as a Kerrville Police Officer, she provided exceptional coordination among local law enforcement departments and federal emergency response teams. She helped organize dive teams, managed personnel in high-impact areas and served as a vital liaison to the Emergency Operations Center.

Malcom’s dedication extended beyond immediate rescue tasks: she also coordinated with church groups to distribute aid and emotional support to families who had lost everything. She partnered with nationwide rescue teams, ensuring long-term recovery efforts were well-resourced and managed. And her initiative directly contributed to five families finding closure after days of uncertainty. She did not seek recognition, but instead focused solely on healing her community and reinforcing its unity.

Captain Emily Malcom is originally from Austin, Texas, and is currently stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Story originally published by the USO: https://www.uso.org/stories/4093-meet-the-2026-uso-service-members-of-the-year