Posted on 04/15/2005 3:07:32 PM PDT by mdittmar
Seaman (SW) Brit L.J. Garrett stood in front of his family, friends and shipmates April 4, aboard USS Preble (DDG 88), and was awarded the Navy/Marine Corps Medal, the naval service’s one of the highest awards for extraordinary heroism.
Garrett was awarded the medal for heroic acts he performed Aug. 31, 2004 while on a six-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Maritime Interception Operations.
What happened that Tuesday in August, Garrett will never forget. While training a seaman on the destroyer’s flight deck, a mechanical failure caused a helicopter to crash onto the ship’s flight deck during landing. “The helicopter crash we experienced that day was a terrifying experience,” said Preble’s Senior Enlisted Advisor, Senior Chief Gas Turbine Electrician (SW) Kane Valek. “The noise was horrific, there was shrapnel and debris hurtling about, there were people screaming... general pandemonium. Any sailor would be justified in taking action to save themselves- to run, find a place to get away from the destruction. Seaman Garrett did not freeze, he did not act on his own self-preservation instinct. Instead, he immediately went to protect his shipmates. He went to the aid of others. That is not something you can teach or coach. That is heroism.” Garrett said he was just doing his job and any sailor in his predicament would have done the same.
“I felt as though it was my obligation to help those in need,” said Garrett. “At the time I didn’t think about getting hurt or injured. All I could think about was helping my shipmates and getting them to somewhere safe. Although I was bleeding, I never felt the pain until everything had calmed down. Now that’s what I call an adrenaline rush,” he said smiling.
After pushing the seaman out of harms way into the hangar, he realized that there was no more room for him and secured the door to protect those inside. Garrett jumped into a flight deck net to protect himself while the helicopter shut down on deck. Once the helicopter shut down, he ran back onto the flight deck to provide first aid to an air crewman who was thrown from the helicopter. Only after the situation stabilized, and when ordered, did Garrett depart the scene to receive medical attention for his own injury.
Garrett said his passion and destiny is helping the injured. He joined the Navy in 2002 to defend and support his country and to become a Navy Medic. “I think everything that happens in someone’s life happens for a reason,” said Garrett. “I was temporarily put in a position to help someone in need. I don’t want it to be temporarily or accidental. I want to always be in a position to help the injured and incapable.” Garrett will soon be in that position. He will attend the Navy’s Hospital Corpsmen School at Great Lakes, Ill., this month. Upon graduation, he will be a Navy Medic.
The Navy/Marine Corps Medal is awarded to Sailors and Marines who distinguish themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with the enemy. For acts of life-saving, or attempted lifesaving, it is required that the action be performed at the risk of one’s own life.
I stand corrected Arioch7!
Semper Fi!
Bump!
I pray that if I am faced with a similar situation that I react without hesitation or selfishly. I am truly awed by those who do. Thanks for the ping, Tonk!
BTTT!!!!!!!
thank you for posting this...BTTT!
*APPLAUSE* Way to go, Squid! I was married to a Navy Seal in a previous life. They are nothing if not single-minded and professional about their jobs. God Bless them all!
Good for him! I am proud for seaman Garrett.
Thanks for the ping, Tonk!
I'm currently a 3rd class petty officer with a helicopter antisubmarine squadron. I "troubleshoot" out on the flight line when the birds take off and land. I pretty much stand underneath them while the rotors are spinning. The helicopter in this story was likely a Sikorsky SH-60 Bravo and very similar to the SH-60 Foxtrots and HH-60 Hotels that I work with.
To the layperson, picture the helicopters in "Blackhawk Down" painted gray.
I cannot even imagine the terror that would course through my veins facing a Class Alpha mishap on the flight line (or flight deck at sea). It would be sheer horror to face a situation like this one. I do not know how I would react but instinctively running for my life would be a strong possibility. I think most would also react this way.
What this young man did exemplifies the values of the navy. It was unparalleled courage and bravery. He can wear that medal with pride. He sure as hell earned it!
BTTT for a Navy man!!
As do I but one never knows how they will react until they are faced with the situation.
Ultimately, I pray I am never faced with this type of event. I'd rather not test my courage in this manner. I am afraid I might fail and then I would have to carry this burden with me for the rest of my life.
The job of a sailor underway is dangerous enough just performing one's day to day tasks.
Tin Can Sailor Hero ~ Bump!
Semper Fi!
(Disclaimer: Arioch7 is not a Marine although he has served with them in the past. Arioch7 is a Navy man through and through. So Arioch7's "Semper Fi!" is done out of respect for the Marine Corps and not a sign of Marine Corps brotherhood.)
LOL!
Arioch7 out!
Ahoy
James Michnor's quote comes to mind form The Bridges at Toki Ri: "Where do we get such men?"
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