Spencer Stone

Spencer Stone

Spencer Stone ( pronunciation born August 13, 1992) is an American actor, author, and former United States Air Force staff sergeant. Stone, along with fellow Americans Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler, a Briton and two Frenchmen, stopped a gunman on a Paris-bound train travelling from Amsterdam via Brussels in August 2015. Gaining international fame, Stone was recognized by U.S. Ambassador to France Jane D. Hartley for "his actions in saving countless lives" and by U.S. President Barack Obama, with a ceremony held at The Pentagon to honor Stone, Skarlatos and Sadler. He was awarded the Airman's Medal and a Purple Heart. French President Francois Hollande awarded Stone, as well his friends, the Legion of Honour, the highest French order for military and civil merits. On October 8, 2015, Stone was stabbed by a California man, James Tran, 28, during a fight in downtown Sacramento. He suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to UC Davis Medical Center. Stone recovered, and was released from the hospital on October 15. He was promoted to senior airman in late October and then staff sergeant in November 2015.