NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Sicily (Oct. 25, 2024) – Three hospital corpsmen assigned to U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella, Sicily, recently came to the rescue of a local driver whose fuel tanker flipped and caused a massive leak on SS192, near Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Sept. 3.
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Michael Bailey, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Guillermo Benitez Pedraza, and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Hannah Vichitvongsa, immediately rushed to the driver, helped him out of the tanker cab and rendered first aid.
“Amidst the chaos of the crash, our Sailors stood as beacons of hope, embodying courage and compassion in every act of aid,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman Steven Taylor, leading chief petty officer, NAS 2 Flight Line Clinic.
After rendering first aid, the hospital corpsmen contacted emergency services and kept the area cordoned off until first responders could arrive and secure the leak.
“We all just did what we were trained for, to help someone in need,” said Bailey.
The Sailors, who work at the NAS 2 Flight Line Clinic, were recognized for their swift, life-saving actions, personally thanked and presented with a command coin by Capt. TaRail Vernon, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella.
“Fate placed them in the right place at the right time, but their skill, experience and composure made the difference,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman Casey Steele, independent duty corpsman, NAS 2 Flight Line Clinic. “Their noteworthy response is no surprise, as time and again they have proven themselves to be uniquely qualified, competent and humble leaders of peers. Hoorah, Docs!"
U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella ensures maximum readiness by providing high-quality, safe patient and family-centered care to maximize force health protection for all beneficiaries, to included NATO and transient DoD forces in the U.S. Fifth Fleet and U.S. Sixth Fleet areas of operation.
NAS Sigonella provides consolidated operational, command and control, administrative, logistical and advanced logistical support to U.S. and other NATO forces. The installation’s strategic location enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to deploy and respond as required, ensuring security and stability in Europe, Africa and Central Command.
For more news and information from NAS Sigonella, visit https://cnreurafcent.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAS-Sigonella/ or https://www.facebook.com/nassigonella/.