LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- There wasn't a dry eye in sight in Ft. Knox on Friday as a soldier and the woman she saved reunited for the first time.

There was a standing ovation as Staff Sgt. Aschlynd Spidell-Flores received the Soldier's Medal, the highest non-combat Medal of Valor for her heroic effort last year. 

Col. Jeanette Martin said it's an award only 278 other active duty soldiers are wearing. It was given to Spidell-Flores because of what she did last October when she heard a crash not far from the base while driving home from work along Dixie Highway.

"As soon as the 18-wheeler came past, I seen the accident. It was fires everywhere," said Spidell-Flores. "Fires everywhere."

She knew it was bad. Before first responders arrived, Spidell-Flores jumped out of her car and into action.

"The only thing I remember from the accident is her voice saying 'I'm going to get you of here,'" said Dianna McMahan. "It was like the voice of an angel. It was very calm."

McMahan was in one of the cars, the front end smashed in, going in and out of consciousness after the crash.

"I could hear a ticking noise, and that's what really prompted me to get her out," said Spidell-Flores. "As the, I guess fluid, was dripping I could see the sparks on your car, so I was like if I don't get her out of the car, if I don't get her out of the car this could be it."

The sound of what was likely gas dripping from the car, Spidell-Flores knew the clock was ticking and she had no time to spare.

"I was really frantic because you could see, to the outside of the car through your steering wheel," she said. "The steering wheel was, it was catching on fire."

Not knowing what McMahan's outcome would turn out to be, Spidell-Flores did everything she could to get her out of the burning car.

"You were asking me was it OK, and I knew at the time that it wasn't OK, but I told you it was so that you wouldn't panic," she said.

McMahan made it through, but not without some setbacks. She almost had to have her foot amputated and had a minor stroke, among other issues, but she survived.

At Friday's awards ceremony, the two met for the first time. More than a year after the day that changed both of their lives forever.

"It's an overwhelming, thankful feeling to finally be able to hug the neck of the person that saved my life," said McMahan.

"It's like holding a Thor hammer, you know?" Spidell-Flores said. "It's powerful. I'm speechless. I'm overwhelmed with emotions to be able to see you again. This is special to me."

A new friendship that started from tragedy, but is ending with hope.

Spidell-Flores was promoted to staff sergeant on Friday not because of the rescue, but for the other great work she's done in the Army.

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