AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Marine corporal from Dripping Springs, along with three sailors, were awarded medals for rescuing a Marine last month during a training exercise. All four were honored during a ceremony at Camp Wilson, California earlier this week, according to a news release from the U.S. Marine Corps.
In July, the Marine Corps said there was an incident that happened during a “live-fire range” during a training exercise. The Marine and Sailors “acted swiftly” to save the life of the Marine while waiting for an evacuation by helicopter to take him to a nearby hospital, the release said.
“The Marine and his family video-called with the command during the award ceremony,” the release said.
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A U.S. Marine and Sailors with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, stand-by to be awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal on Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Aug. 11, 2024. Servicemembers were awarded for rendering aid to a Marine during a live fire exercise, ultimately saving his life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo courtesy Lance Cpl. Weston Lindstrom) -
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David L. Odom, a Hartsville, South Carolina native and the commanding general of 2d Marine Division (MARDIV), gives his remarks during an awards ceremony at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Aug. 11, 2024. Servicemembers with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d MARDIV were awarded Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for rendering aid to a Marine during a live fire exercise, ultimately saving his life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo courtesy Lance Cpl. Weston Lindstrom) -
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David L. Odom (right), a Hartsville, South Carolina native and the commanding general of 2d Marine Division (MARDIV), and Sgt. Maj. Joseph Mendez (left), a Brooklyn, New York native and sergeant major of 2d MARDIV, pose for photo with Marines and Sailors with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, after an awards ceremony on Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Aug. 11, 2024. Servicemembers with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d MARDIV were awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for rendering aid to a Marine during a live fire exercise, ultimately saving his life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo courtesy Lance Cpl. Weston Lindstrom)
Cpl. Cullen Potter, of Dripping Springs, was honored during the ceremony. Potter is an “Anti-Tank missileman and Section Leader with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 2d Marin Regiment, 2d MARDIV,” the release said.
The other recipients of the awards honored in the ceremony were Hospital Corpsman Third Class Petty Officer Carlos Calvillo of Banning, Calif., Hospital Corpsman Second Class Petty Officer Jonathan Wegner of St. Louis, Mo. and Hospital Corpsman First Class Petty Officer Efrain Barrera of Coalinga, Calif., respectively
“The immediate and responsive actions of our Marine and Sailors exemplify the professionalism and readiness that we value as a unit. Because of their swift actions, along with the additional support of other Marines, sailors, and civilians from the battalion, Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group, and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, a Marine is still alive and on the road to recovery,” Lt. Col. Ted Driscoll, Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d MARDIV said in the release.