Marine Sacrifices Finger To Save Wedding Ring

CNN.com ^ | 12/12/04 | AP

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

VICTORVILLE, California (AP) -- When Marine Lance Cpl. David Battle learned he'd either have to sacrifice his ring finger or the wedding band he wore, he told doctors at a field hospital in Iraq to cut off the finger.

[jocon307]

I am astonished that any doctor would permit such nonsense.

[bigLusr]

With his approval, doctors severed his finger, but somehow in the chaos that followed, they lost his ring.

Oops

[Gerasimov]

DAMN ... and then the doc lost the Freepin' ring?!?
Ever have "one of those days?"

[KevinDavis]

DOH!

[tiamat]

Rings CAN be repaired if they are cut off.

[drt1]

"I don't think I could ever repay her or show her how grateful ... how much I love my wife, my soul mate."

A good start to showing your wife how much you love and respect her would be to DO YOUR DAMNEST TO COME HOME IN ONE PIECE! This can't be true.

[Dick Vomer]

I am astonished that any doctor would permit such nonsense.

They were trying to save "parts" of his finger. So I gather it was a stump revision in the heat of the casualty ward. Things happen fast.... the doc probably gave him a choice, ring cutters can hurt like heck. So the Marine said, "screw it, save the ring."...

The pisser about the whole thing was that his ring was "lost".... stolen?? It happens more than we'd like to think during car wrecks or deaths. Never wear jewelry to the hospital.

Maybe somebody can get a ring to this fine Marine.... nice gesture and good advertising.

[myheroesareDeadandRegistered]

"You don't win a war by cutting off your ring finger....you win wars by makin' the other poor, dumb sumbich cut off his finger."

[Xenalyte]

"Let's see . . . cut off my finger, or cut off the ring . . . nah, save the ring. We can't get wedding rings in America anymore, and I can always grow a new finger."

[politicalmerc]

I ran this by my wonderful wife who looked at me flatly and said, "Why save the ring if you don't have a finger to put it on?" I love that girl, just real down to earth practical.

JH

[calex59]

I believe there are very few wives who would opt for the ring. Most would want the guy to save his finger. What an idiot.

[miltonim]

Wish he was a newt at least til his finger grows back

[ma bell]

Sorry pal, but that is Marine Corps honor.

Semper Fi

Red Two - Bog Beast

2d Tank Bn CamLej 86-90

[ClintonBeGone]

They should have examined his head while they were at it. What an idiot.

[ClintonBeGone]

Rings CAN be repaired if they are cut off.

That's what I was thinking. Gold is a wonderful metal to work with. You would think SOMEONE in that operating room could have told the kid that.

[ClintonBeGone]

Sorry pal, but that is Marine Corps honor st_pidity (I'll let someone else fill in the blank.

[Steel Wolf]

I am astonished that any doctor would permit such nonsense.

Exactly. Ever notice that severe trauma patients have their clothes cut off them by the medics? Do you think they ever stop and say, 'Hey, we need to check you for exit wounds and other injuries, but this is a really nice shirt you have on. You want us to just leave it on, and risk bleeding out?'

No. They cut away what they need to so they can assess injuries.

The docs shouldn't have offered him those options, and shouldn't have listened to him anyway. People in shock say nutty things sometimes.

[Mr. Mojo]

So now he has neither the ring nor the finger. The ring could've easily been repaired and he would've had a finger to put it on.

I'm surprised, if indeed this story is true, that the docs let him get away with this insanity.