2022 American Hero Award Recipients

Each year, HireQuest Inc. and the Higher Quest Foundation host the American Hero Awards. The ceremony recognizes two American service men or women who have gone above the call of duty in service to their country.

Ultimate Hero Award Recipient Corporal Benjamin S. Kopp, U.S. Army

After 9/11, CPL Kopp vowed to serve his country with pride, following in the footsteps of his great grandfather, a World War II veteran.

CPL Kopp arrived at Fort Benning, Ga., 1 month after his high school graduation. Eight months later, he became an Army Ranger. CPL Kopp served in the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and completed two tours of duty in Iraq and a third in Afghanistan. There, on July 10, 2009, he saved the lives of six of his fellow Rangers when they came under attack by Taliban forces.

Tragically, CPL Kopp was shot in the leg and did not recover from the trauma. He died July 18, 2009, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

To this day, Ben lives on in the hearts and minds of his family—and the dozens of individuals to whom he donated his organs.

American Hero Award Recipient Sergeant Major Gary W. Buck, U.S. Marine Corps

In 1985, SgtMaj Buck enlisted in the Marine Corps and shipped off to Parris Island, S.C. Over seven combat tours, including Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Safe Return, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, SgtMaj Buck steadily climbed the ranks. He has also achieved an Associate’s from Columbia Southern University, a Bachelor’s in business administration from Waldorf University, and a Master’s in educational leadership from Marshall University. In 2010, he returned to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island to serve as the Depot Sergeant Major, where he works with new recruits today.

SgtMaj Buck’s commendations include the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement and Commendation medals, Meritorious Service Medal (2 gold stars), Legion of Merit, and others.

2021 American Hero Award Recipients

Each year, HireQuest Inc. and the Higher Quest Foundation host the American Hero Awards. The ceremony recognizes two American service men or women who have gone above the call of duty in service to their country.

Ultimate Hero Award Recipient Major Edward J. Murphy, U.S. Army

MAJ Murphy always wanted to be a soldier.

At 17, he enlisted in the Army and served in the S.C. Army National Guard while studying at the University of South Carolina. In 1992, he was commissioned as an armor officer and completed Airborne and Ranger School. MAJ Murphy served at Camp Pelham, South Korea; Bad Kreuznach, Germany; Tuzla, Bosnia; and, finally, Bagram, Afghanistan. He was killed in southeast Afghanistan when an Army CH-47 Chinook crashed, killing everyone on-board.

He was the beloved husband of Barclay and father of three children, Eddie, Elly, and Luke.

American Hero Award Recipient Sergeant First Class Joshua White, U.S. Army

In 2005, SFC White enlisted in the Army, becoming an infantryman before earning his Green Beret in December 2006. He has deployed to Afghanistan, Ecuador, Colombia, and other locations. His commendations include 3 Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, Basic Airborne Insignia, Special Forces Tab, and others.

A graduate of Ohio University, SFC White currently works with Venergy Group in Fort Pierce, Fla., where he lives with his wife, Meredith, and their three children, Jax, Mason, and Wyatt.

2020 American Hero Award Recipients

Each year, HireQuest Inc. and the Higher Quest Foundation host the American Hero Awards. The ceremony recognizes two American service men or women who have gone above the call of duty in service to their country.

Ultimate Hero Award Recipient Captain Richard Cliff, U.S. Air Force

Capt Cliff, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., was a Wando High School graduate who loved surfing, skiing, and mountain climbing. He captained the ROTC Ranger Challenge Team at Appalachian State University, and joined the Air Force in 2002.

On his third deployment in Afghanistan, Capt Cliff was killed in action along with two other members of his team in the Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group. They were attacked on Sept. 29, 2008, while on patrol in Helmand Province. He is survived by wife, Stacy, and their son, Richard; as well as his mother, Julie, father, Richard, and brother, Eddie.

Capt Cliff’s commendations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, 5 U.S. Army commendation medals, National Defense Service medal, Basic Airborne insignia, Ranger tab, and Special Forces tab.

American Hero Award Recipient: James Gobble, U.S. Marine Corps (ret.)

James Gobble is a classic example of an American hero beyond the battlefield.

A former Marine, Gobble served domestically from 1991 to 1995. Since then, he’s worked extensively with suicide prevention programs focused on veterans and their surviving family members, inspired by the death of his own sister, SCPO Kim Hunter, U.S. Navy Reserve. His work in the community began in 2009 as a volunteer with the tragedy assistance program for survivors. There, he focused on mentoring the children of deceased service members as they processed their loss.

Today, in addition to his volunteer work, he is studying toward a master’s degree in clinical mental health and seeks to become a licensed professional counselor.