Glendon Oakley, Jr.

Glendon Oakley Jr. (born c. 1997) is an African-American United States Army private who has been called a "hero" for preventing many deaths during the 2019 El Paso shooting.

Early life and career
Oakley was born circa 1997. He grew up in Killeen, Texas. He is the son of a retired sergeant major and a retired master sergeant, and the brother of a retired captain.

Oakley was recruited by the United States Army in Macon, Georgia. He graduated from Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training in March 2018. He now serves as a private in the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, and he is the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

El Paso shooting
On August 4, 2019, Oakley was off duty and shopping at a Foot Locker store near the Cielo Vista Mall when he became aware of the shooting. He later explained:

"I didn't even think. I just grabbed as many kids as I could and ran five stores down to the exit. [...] We got there and ran into a whole batch of police pointing their guns at us. I wasn't focused on myself, and I wasn't focused on my surroundings ... I was just focused on those kids."

- Glendon Oakley Jr., August 4, 2019

Oakley was praised by El Paso police Chief Greg Allen for saving many lives. During his El Paso visit on August 8, 2019, President Donald J. Trump met Oakley and remarked, "What a job he did."