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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (3/16/2012) — Driving down U.S.
Highway 70 on a Friday evening in April 2011, four sailors came up
on the aftermath of a two-car collision.
The sailors,
training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune to become hospital
corpsmen at the time, were put to the test.
“We were driving
down the road when all of the cars in front of us started breaking
rapidly,” said Brett R. Hodgson, one of the sailors, now a hospital
corpsman at Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point. “All we could see
ahead was smoke coming from the cars.”
In the dim evening
light they stopped their car, got out and ran toward the two smoking
vehicles.
In quickly assessing the severity and damage of the
situation, the sailors realized one of the vehicles held both an
injured mother and daughter.
March 7, 2012 - Seaman Brett R. Hodgson, a hospital corpsman at Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point, stands with the Robinson family after receiving a Navy Achievement Medal for providing provided basic life support to Robinson's wife, Kim, and two children, Collin and Carlee,
who were involved in a head on collision last April. Photo by USMC Cpl. Samantha H. Arrington |
“We took the mom and daughter out of the smoking car,”
said Hodgson, a native of Arvada, Colo. “Then we saw a boy
about 75 yards away lying on the ground. He was ejected from
the car during the crash.”
Kim T. Robinson and her
two children, Collin and Carlee, were traveling to Greenville,
N.C., to visit with her brother.
Performing life
saving steps they learned during schooling, the sailors
assisted the accident victims until paramedics arrived
shortly after.
“I was just doing what I was learning
at the time,” said Hodgson. “All of us were.”
For his
actions nearly a year ago, Hodgson was presented a Navy
Achievement Medal, Wednesday, March 14, at NHC Cherry Point.
“He helped save all of our lives,” said Kim. “I
don't remember much, just the helicopter and Brett's face.”
Kim's husband, Travis, a lieutenant with the New
Hanover County Sheriff's Office, was informed of the
accident shortly after, and said he is thankful the sailors
were there for his family.
“These young men saw the
situation and instantly responded due to the training they
had received,” said Travis. “We are extremely lucky. Brett
has become a part of our family and always will be.”
Hodgson's actions were a reflection of his performance on a
daily basis at the clinic, said Master Chief Petty Officer
Glenn A. Baxter, the command master chief of NHC Cherry
Point.
“Aside from what we do in the clinic and while
we are deployed, it is really great that these sailors can
assist in situations like this,” said Baxter. “They are
putting their skills to good use not only here, but
everywhere. Hodgson is a solid sailor and does a great job.”
“We are deeply grateful that Brett and his friends
happened to be driving down the road that night,” said
Travis. “He saved my family.”
By USMC Cpl. Samantha H. Arrington
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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