Corporal Wesley D. Smith, a Marine from 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment Awarded for Saving Life of Fellow Marine
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA – A Marine from Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (2/8) received a Navy Commendation Medal on Camp Lejeune December 17 for performing lifesaving actions on a fellow Marine in early November.
Corporal Wesley D. Smith, a native of Manchester, Ky., and machine gunner with Golf Co., 2/8 was at his home when a neighbor alerted him that her husband needed urgent assistance. Upon arriving at the neighbors’ home, Cpl. Smith quickly assessed his fellow Marine’s unconscious state and began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
“Once I realized something was wrong, my adrenaline began to rush. It was easy to rely on my Marine Corps training to assist a fellow Marine in trouble,” said Smith.
After restoring his neighbor’s breathing, Smith then proceeded to video-call his battalion’s medical officer, Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade Louis Perez, for additional medical guidance.
“I was speechless, and the fact that I was watching a Marine attempting lifesaving interventions, real-time, on a phone, was surreal. I had to pause for a second to assess the situation and realize what I was watching to ensure we were doing everything we could to assist the Marine in this matter,” commented Lt. j.g. Perez.
When EMS arrived, Cpl. Smith helped the first responders get his neighbor out of the home and loaded into the ambulance. Medical officials say had Cpl. Smith not intervened, his neighbor likely would have passed away that night.
“It took a little while to set in. I didn’t realize the impact that I had on him and his family until days later. I’m glad I was there to keep this family whole,” said Cpl. Smith.
Lt. Col. Doug Bahrns, battalion commander of 2/8, commented on Smith’s actions:
“I’m so unbelievably proud of Cpl. Smith. As Marines, taking care of each other is in our blood. We depend on each other in the worst of times, and when Cpl. Smith was called upon to help a fellow Marine, he acted without hesitation. Cpl. Smith epitomizes the best qualities of what it means to be a Marine and a noncommissioned officer, and we should all strive to emulate his actions.”
Imagery of the award ceremony is available at the 2d Marine Division DVIDS page (link below). For more information, please contact 2nd Lt. Paul Ortiz at (910) 451-2074 or .
-USMC-
For imagery and video of the event, please visit
DVIDS: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/2MARDIV
Facebook: www.facebook.com/2dMarDiv
Twitter: https://twitter.com/2dMarDiv
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2dmardiv/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/2dmarinedivision/
Official Website: https://www.2ndmardiv.marines.mil/
