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Doc stops the bleeding, treats for shock, earns Bronze Star
Marine Corps News ^ | Feb 17, 2006 | Lance Cpl. Patrick J. Floto

Posted on 02/18/2006 4:58:18 PM PST by SandRat

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2006) -- Critical medical operations to save the life of a wounded comrade are extremely stressful in the rear, where there is proper medical equipment. Conducting them in the back of a humvee while it speeds through a hail of shrapnel and small arms fire, however, is a true test of one’s proficiency and courage.

Petty Officer 1st Class Nathan McDonell faced and overcame that challenge a year ago in Iraq and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for it during a ceremony at Camp Margarita Feb. 17.

“I accept this recognition on behalf of the men I fought with, it was the greatest honor of my life,” said McDonell, a 28-year-old from Daytona Beach, Fla. after Maj. Gen. Richard F. Natonski, commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, pinned on his Bronze Star. McDonell then named those who ensured the survival of the team.

“Corporal O’Brien, who had the strength to hold onto life that day, Gunnery Sgt. Miller for his instincts and leadership, and both Sgt. Pennock and Cpl. Kamerer for aggressively holding off the enemy,” McDonell said.

McDonell exemplified courage under fire on Nov. 8, 2004, in Ramadi, Iraq, while serving as the senior line corpsman for Company G, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

During an assault in the Al Anbar capital city, McDonell identified the location of the enemy firing positions and returned fire, enabling the Marines to fatally wound three insurgents, according to his award citation. During the ensuing firefight, a rocket-propelled grenade penetrated the vehicle’s armor and partially severed the right arm and leg of the Marine beside him.

“When I came up after the blast, I saw Cpl. (Mark) O’Brien bleeding profusely through the white smoke,” recalled McDonell. “His wounds were bad, and my main concern was to stop the bleeding any way possible.”

While still under intense fire, McDonell applied tourniquets to the wounded Marine’s arm and leg and supervised his loading into the evacuation vehicle.

While driving at high speeds through narrow streets to reach the nearest medical facility, he began a second, more detailed evaluation of the wound. McDonell raised the Marine’s mangled leg and with his bare hands, reached inside the wound and grasped the femoral artery and pulled it through the damaged tissue far enough to apply a second tourniquet.

When this failed to control the bleeding, he reached inside the Marine’s leg and clamped down on the femoral artery, holding it with his fingers until they arrived at the medical facility.

“With so much carnage and destruction going on all around you, you have to be resourceful,” McDonell said. “I couldn’t give him morphine due to the amount of blood he was losing. I’ve never seen someone endure so much pain while maintaining his composure so well.”

McDonell added that O’Brien was more concerned with the fact that he could no longer fight over the immense pain he was going through.

Because of McDonell’s heroics and wise judgment, O’Brien lived. He got married in July, and McDonell attended the ceremony.

Although O’Brien’s life was saved, he was no longer able to serve as a Marine due to his injuries.

"Golf Company lost a great warrior the day O’Brien was discharged,” McDonell said. “My daughter was recently watching the 2006 Olympics and called the American athletes heroes. I told her that the real heroes are the many men and women who have so bravely fought in Iraq and that I had the honor to meet them and fight alongside them.”


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; US: California; US: Florida; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: bleeding; bronze; bronzestar; doc; earns; iraq; medic; oif; shock; star; stops; treats


MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif -- Major Gen. Richard F. Natonski congratulates Petty Officer 1st Class Nathan McDonell after awarding him the Bronze Star here Feb. 17. McDonell was recognized for saving the life of Cpl. Mark O'Brien Nov. 8, 2004 in the midst of a firefight in Ramadi. McDonell was the senior line corpsman for Company G, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Natonski is the commanding general of the 1st Marine Division.
(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Patrick J. Floto)(released) Photo by: Lance Cpl. Patrick J. Floto
1 posted on 02/18/2006 4:58:21 PM PST by SandRat
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To: Joe Brower

Joe, Daytona "doc" does good Florida ping request


2 posted on 02/18/2006 5:08:53 PM PST by NonValueAdded ('Republicans who vote for tax increases are rat heads in the Coke bottle" Grover Norquist)
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To: SandRat
Wow. These guys are an inspiration.

Thanks for the article.

3 posted on 02/18/2006 5:11:37 PM PST by andyandval
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To: SandRat
The corpsman with the Marines are all heros.

SEMPER FI CORPSMAN.

4 posted on 02/18/2006 5:18:36 PM PST by Dubya (Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
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To: Dubya
SEMPER FI CORPSMAN.

Marine bump!

Now, how many of us will read it in our local fishwrap tomorrow?

5 posted on 02/18/2006 5:29:28 PM PST by Looking4Truth (http://www.gunstuff.com/america-attacked.html - NEVER FORGET!)
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To: SandRat
More about Cpl. Mark O’Brien at the homepage of the MSNBC TV program,
Coming Home.
6 posted on 02/18/2006 8:09:13 PM PST by Daaave ("A ship without Marines is like a coat without buttons." Adm. Farragut)
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To: Dubya; Looking4Truth
SEMPER FI CORPSMAN.

The man is a hero even if the local fish-wraps never report his heroism.

Semper Fi

7 posted on 02/18/2006 8:19:22 PM PST by TYVets (God so loved the world he didn't send a committee)
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