Aleksander Reed Skarlatos[1] (/skɑːrˈlɑːtoʊs/; born October 10, 1992) is an American politician and former Oregon Army National Guard soldier.

He subsequently made media appearances, wrote an autobiography that was later turned into a biographical film, and thrice ran unsuccessfully for other political offices.

He competed on season 21 of ABC's Dancing with the Stars with pro dancer Lindsay Arnold as his partner, finishing in third place.

[5] He and his friends portrayed themselves in the Clint Eastwood-directed movie The 15:17 to Paris, based on their autobiography, which was written with reporter Jeffrey Stern.

Having previously ran for Douglas County commissioner in 2018, he was the Republican nominee for Oregon's 4th congressional district in the 2020 United States House of Representatives elections but was defeated by incumbent Democrat Peter DeFazio.

[6] He again ran to represent Oregon in the 4th congressional district in the 2022 House elections, but was defeated by Democratic state Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle.

[11][12][13] He was raised in Sacramento County, where he first met Spencer Stone and Anthony Sadler while attending a parochial school in Fair Oaks.

[11][15][16][17] The acting adjutant general of Oregon Guard referred to Skarlatos as "a true citizen soldier who displayed the courage each of us would hope to find in ourselves.

[12] A 25-year-old Moroccan, Ayoub El-Khazzani,[22] exited the train car's toilet, armed with an AKM assault rifle, a Luger pistol, and a box knife.

[24] Arriving next to the struggle, Skarlatos grabbed the pistol out of El-Khazzani's hand, then picked up the rifle, striking the terrorist in the head with its muzzle.

[25] El-Khazzani was tied up and then Stone, who also had some military medical training, delivered lifesaving assistance to Moogalian by compressing an exposed, bleeding artery.

[32] French president François Hollande awarded Skarlatos, Stone, and Sadler, as well as Norman, France's highest decoration, Knights of the Legion of Honour (Chevaliers de la Légion d'honneur).

[33] The White House expressed gratitude for "courage and quick thinking of several passengers, including U.S. service members, who selflessly subdued the attacker..."[34] U.S. President Barack Obama telephoned the three Americans, thanking them for their heroic actions.

[35] General Philip M. Breedlove of the U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, added his praise, calling the three Americans heroes for their actions which "clearly illustrate the courage and commitment our young men and women have all the time, whether they are on duty or on leave.

"[36] Kevin Johnson, mayor of Sacramento, California, held a parade to honor Skarlatos, Sadler, Stone, and the victims of the September 11 attacks.

In July 2017, it was announced that Clint Eastwood would direct the upcoming biographical film titled after Stone, Skarlatos and Sadler's memoir, starring them, along with actresses Jenna Fischer and Judy Greer.

[44] Skarlatos ran for Douglas County Commissioner in his home state of Oregon in the 2018 midterm elections,[45] but he lost to businessman Tom Kress.