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U.S. Air Force
photo by Airman 1st Class Joe
Rivera |
2006 Expeditionary NCO of the Year
(October 2 , 2007)
The unique nature of the War on Terror calls for unconventional approaches to numerous missions. Joint service combat and non-combat operations have become more common over the last several years.
While serving as a combat flight medic with the 33rd Expeditionary Combat Rescue Squadron in Afghanistan, Air Force Tech Sgt. Mark DeCorte was at the forefront of a successful Army-Air Force venture to improve rescue operations. DeCorte's leadership and actions on the battlefield earned him the 2006 Expeditionary Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year award.
Full
Story...
In 2005, the
Air Force agreed to assist the
Army in medevac operations.
DeCorte served on the first
enlisted team of flight medics
in this undertaking. There were
many challenges not normally
associated with providing care
to the wounded on the
battlefield. |
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First, the team
of airmen had to operate out of
a HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter,
not the larger C-130 or C-17 the
Air Force normally uses. Second,
DeCorte and his team were
directly involved in combat –
unlike many medics who often
enter the field after the action
subsides. DeCorte even gave up
his protected status under the
Geneva Convention to provide
more urgent care to the wounded.
Two missions in
particular from 2006 illustrate
DeCorte's gallantry. DeCorte was
called in to rescue a soldier
who lost both of his legs. As
DeCorte entered the pitch-black
battlefield, enemy forces
surrounded him on three sides.
Wearing night-vision goggles,
DeCorte assessed the wounded
soldier and applied tourniquets
while shielding him from
explosions. While taking fire,
DeCorte carried the man back to
the helicopter and ensured a
safe evacuation. On another
mission, DeCorte moved in to
rescue two wounded soldiers.
During the landing, enemy forces
fired on the men on the ground,
wounding three more. The
helicopter landed near a
dangerous minefield. DeCorte
jumped out, and sprinted 150
yards through the kill zone. He
treated all five wounded and
directed them back to the
chopper – while carrying one of
them. DeCorte fit all five
soldiers in the helicopter
designed to hold two.
While based in
Kandahar, DeCorte flew on 63
such missions, and is credited
with assisting 41 enemy kills
and 36 rescues, while constantly
resupplying coalition forces
with supplies, water and
ammunition.
In addition to
being named NCO of the Year,
DeCorte's lengthy list of awards
and decorations includes: the
Air Medal with two devices, the
Air Force Commendation Medal
with two devices, the Air Force
Achievement Medal with five
devices, the Combat Readiness
Medal, the National Defense
Service Medal with one device,
Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and
the Global War On Terrorism
Expeditionary Medal, among many
others.
DeCorte's
record of service long predates
his actions in Afghanistan. His
13 years in the Air Force
includes a tour in Kosovo.
DeCorte's dedicated commitment
to service extends to his
family. His wife and brother are
Air Force tech sergeants.
DeCorte's father, mother and
uncle also served as USAF
medical sergeants. DeCorte is
currently stationed at Minot Air
Force Base in North Dakota. |
