Staff Sergeant Awarded for Heroism
Navy and Marine Corps Medal
Marine earns service’s highest non-combat award for vehicle rescue
By Cristina Stassis
A U.S. Marine was awarded the service’s highest non-combat award on Feb. 6 for heroic actions in 2024, when he saved another Marine’s life following a motor vehicle accident.
Staff Sgt. Billy Scafidel, an armory chief with the 7th Engineer Support Battalion in the 1st Marine Logistics Group, received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton, California, according to a release.
On Sept. 1, 2024, Scafidel was working outside of his home near the installation’s Del Mar Boat Basin when he heard a loud splash in the ocean.
Upon investigating the sound, he discovered a truck lying on its side, half submerged in the water, after the driver lost control of the vehicle, according to the release.
Scafidel quickly enlisted the help of a nearby friend, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Andrew James, then grabbed a hammer before returning to the scene, according to the release.
At the site of the accident, the pair saw an individual inside in imminent danger of drowning. The driver was stuck in the seat, the doors were locked and the driver’s side of the vehicle was quickly filling with water.
“In the moment, the only thing I was worried about was getting him out of that truck as quickly as possible,” Scafidel said in the release.
BZ SSGT Scafidel!
Moto. Well done, SSgt!
Great job. That will be a day you remember for the rest of your life.
Well done, SSgt. Johnny on the spot.