Posted on 11/09/2004 10:50:53 AM PST by FloridaEagle
One minute he was snoozing in the passenger seat while his wife drove south on Interstate 75 toward Naples.
In the blink of an eye, the young Marine endangered his own life to save the lives of two strangers after a crash, restoring faith in heroism that doesn't happen often on the busy stretch of highway in Southwest Florida.
On Monday, Lance Cpl. Jorge Martinez was presented the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for Heroism, the highest non-combat medal that's given by the U.S. military branches. In this case, it went to a 2001 graduate of Lely High School who had just finished boot camp at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
He was presented the medal from Collier County Manager Jim Mudd on behalf of President Bush, while a dozen proud family members gathered in the County Commission chambers for the ceremony.
"He risked his hide to save those two people," said Mudd, who served 26 years in the Army. "He's a great American."
(Excerpt) Read more at naplesnews.com ...
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On the field of battle an off, they're heros
God bless 'em!
There was an awful car accident near my house today. We live near MacKall. Some soldiers, I counted 7, were coming through, I assume they were returning to Bragg, at the time the accident occured as was I. We all saw the accident happen and rushed to check on the passengers of the vehicles. Those guys were awesome in the way that they took over. As I dialed 911 they began directing traffic, assisting the passengers ( one was an elderly woman in very bad condition ). The elderly woman ended up needing CPR before the rescue squad arrived and the teamwork those guys did was amazing. All I could think of while I sat with the older gentleman in the other car was "what a well oiled machine". I sat there thinking that I would put my life in their hands any time. They were awesome to watch although the situation was as serious as it was.
Wonderful story. God bless 'em all.
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