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 FORT
STEWART, Ga. -- It was a calm peaceful morning, and Lora Chancey was
driving home. Suddenly two deer were in front of her, appearing
seemingly out of nowhere. She swerved to miss them, the lives of the
deer were saved, yet the drastic measure she took caused her to
crash into a pond and flip over into the deep water. Her life was no
longer so certain.
This, the scene of an accident according
to Chancey, was also a scene of great heroism and
bravery.
Spc. Nathan Currie, an explosive ordnance disposal
specialist, with the 756th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, was
awarded the Soldier's Medal, here at Club Stewart on February 26,
2015.
Currie was awarded the medal for his heroic actions at
the scene of the accident last August.
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U.S. Army Spc. Nathan Currie, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist, with the 756th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, shares a moment with Lora Chancey after receiving the Soldier's Medal at Club Stewart
on February 26, 2015. Currie was awarded the medal for his heroic actions at the scene of an accident last August. His quick action to dive down and pull Chancey out of her vehicle that had crashed into, and flipped over, in Holbrook pond, directly displayed his extreme bravery without regard for his own safety. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Richard Wrigley, 3rd ID Public Affairs NCO)
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“I heard a splash behind me, I noticed the car had
entered the water, so I rushed to the scene,” explained
Currie.
Before the accident occurred, Currie was
simply enjoying a relaxing morning, fishing in Holbrook
Pond.
According to Currie, it was his training in the
EOD that provided him the quick reflexes and ability to
react calmly under pressure.
Currie rushed to the
scene and proceeded to dive in, pull Chancey out, and once
getting her to shore, revive her by performing
cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
“I was just doing what
I would want someone else to do if I was in that situation,”
said Currie.
Chancey explained that she has some
short-term memory loss from the ordeal, yet it seems she
will never forget her rescuer.
“He'll be a lifetime
friend...he's just a great man...he's my hero,” said Chancey.
The ceremony was befitting such heroic actions, and the
speech of Brig. Gen. James Blackburn, commander, Task Force
Marne, 3rd Infantry Division, was just as appropriate. He
started by explaining the significance of the Soldier's
Medal.
“In the military, there are multiple awards to
recognize acts of valor, but most of those are limited
specifically to combat operations,” said Blackburn. “In
situations of demonstrated heroism outside of combat, the
Soldier's Medal is the highest award that can be presented.
“It is reserved for distinguished acts of bravery,
without regard for one's own safety.”
And that,
Blackburn explained, is exactly what happened one August
morning when a Soldier chose to act instead of hanging back
and playing it safe.
“In today's society too many
people stand back, look to see how others will react before
reacting themselves,” said Blackburn. “Fortunately we are
blessed to still have heroes like Spc. Currie.”
By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Richard Wrigley, 3rd ID Public Affairs NCO
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
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