Boy Scout Adam Pietras was only 10 when he fought off a loose Bullmastiff that got into his family’s backyard and charged his younger sister, age 7.  He pushed her out of harm’s way, but the dog latched onto him instead, causing severe injuries but buying enough time for his younger brother to run for help. Adam suffered the loss of a great deal of blood and was hospitalized with more than 200 stitches. Following therapy and plastic surgery, Adam made a strong recovery.

  On Saturday, March 16, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton, NJ), presented Adam with a Flag flown over the U.S. Capitol Building in Adam’s honor of the 2015 incident, and a copy of remarks in the Congressional Record Smith entered last Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Washington. Smith presented the flag and a copy of the Congressional Record statement at a Boy Scout Court of Honor at Switllik Park in Hamilton before Adam’s fellow scouts of Troop 87, veterans at the VFW Post 491 which charters Troop 87, and family and friends.

   “In an age of fictional movie action heroes and comic book superheroes, this Saturday a real-life action hero will be the star. If Adam were in the military our nation would be looking to bestow one of its highest medals for his valor,” Smith told the attendees, echoing his remarks on the Congressional Record. Click here to read his full statement.           

   Smith, himself an Eagle Scout, was joined by Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri, told the gathering that Adam’s actions without any concern for his own personal safety to help save the life of his sister personified the Scout’s mission bravery.

   Citing what is oft called the Boy Scout Law, Smith said, “A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent… that’s Adam.” 

     Adam, who turns 14 today, and Tyler, 12 are students at Reynolds Middle School in Hamilton, N.J., and the sister he saved, Rachael, attends Sunnybrae Elementary School. Adam’s parent’s, Peter Pietras and Lisa Pitoniak-Pietras, and family and friends, attended the event. Smith gave Adam’s brother, Tyler, 9 at the time of the dog attack, a Congressional Certificate honoring his actions to bring back help as Adam fought the dog.

         Adam’s father said he was very proud of his son. “I am very proud of Adam. We were lucky he did what he did because it saved his sister’s life. I am very proud of his brother, Tyler, too, because of his quick actions to get his mother and me to come outside and help stop the attack. Tyler also called 9-1-1 to let police know his brother was being attacked by a dog.”

      In 2017 Adam received the Boy Scouts of America’s highest national award for lifesaving and meritorious action given only for outstanding and unusual acts that demonstrate unusual heroism, skill, or bravery and reflect Scouting ideals.  Adam was given the Honor Medal With Crossed Palms, a rare award given to a Scout who has “demonstrated unusual heroism and extraordinary skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save life at extreme risk to self.”

            Adam was previously honored by Hamilton Mayor Kelly Yaede with a township proclamation as an example of a model citizen.