A sailor supporting Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa was recognized Feb. 11 for providing life-saving medical care to a Djiboutian man and his family. Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony L. Fuller was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his efforts in saving the life of a Djiboutian man who, along with his family, was involved in a vehicle accident Jan. 31. When returning from a leisure trip to Arta Plage, Fuller, who is the senior corpsman for Task Force Betio, and a group of fellow task force Marines noticed a vehicle that appeared to have overturned and four victims on the ground near the wreck. "When we came on there, everybody was pretty much on the deck. They definitely rolled it, looking at the roof. It looked like somebody probably pushed [the truck] back upright," said Fuller, who served as an emergency medical technician for six years prior to enlisting in the Navy. Fuller knew he could help and did his part as a first responder. According to his award citation, working in an austere environment with extremely limited resources, he recognized the severity of the injuries and potential loss of life. He continued critical treatment and life-saving measures until host-nation emergency personnel arrived.
Snip. Been there. Done that. The longest moments of your life are waiting for the sirens while somebody bleeds out. |