Lance Wyatt; Navy corpsman awarded NMCCM
The New Bern Sun Journal tells the story of Petty Officer 1st Class Lance Wyatt, a Navy corpsman who earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for valor during his deployment to Afghanistan;
On his first day in Afghanistan, he treated a triple amputee. During another operation, Wyatt treated six critical patients. It tested his training, he said, and he worried about having enough medical supplies.
During the course of Wyatt’s deployment, according to the citation, he was credited with treating 32 wounded Afghans, both military and civilian, many of whom suffered amputations, gunshot or shrapnel wounds and traumatic brain injuries. Within the citation, Wyatt is said to have performed lifesaving measures under enemy fire, many times, returning fire himself to protect his patients from additional wounds and repel the ongoing enemy attacks.
“Being a corpsman means the world to me … and being called ‘doc’ means a great deal to me,” he said. “You earned the name ‘doc,’ it wasn’t just given.”
Category: Navy
It strikes me as amazing. This nation is still generating seasoned, capable and motivated Sailors 13 years into this conflict. 20 years from now PO1 Wyatt will probably be lending his experience and perspective to young Sailors and Marines, propagating our institutional knowledge and battlefield acumen. BZ. I truly hope he sleeps well.
BZ … DOC … No doubt you have earned both!
One other thing. Providing he passes the Chief’s exam he looks like a great candidate for First Select in upcoming Chief’s Selection Board.
But Bernath would not know anything about that. Because his name NEVER appeared on a the Boards list!
I’d say that if he can get through a tour in the Stan, the CPO exam will be a snap.
That is what always killed me about burnt-nuts. In “OUR” Initiation how are we addressed and what is the response. That idiot is fighting for something that he really does not know or understand.
Well done, PO1 Wyatt – damn well done.
Well-deserved kudos.
Thanks, Doc.
Outstanding stuff, the best and brightest our nation has to offer can still be found regularly. One only needs to know where to look.
I love reading these on TAH. Real stories of real valor by real heroes. It truly does my heart good! All the best to you Petty Officer 1st Class Lance Wyatt. Thank you for your service to our country and the Marines you served with. That’s the kind of man I want our high school and college kids to see and emulate.
By the way guys. Not a Navy person here. If he is a Petty Officer 1st Class, would his next promotion rank be to Chief Petty Officer?
Aye, it would be.
yes.
Open Channel D sends…
USN 1975-2012
Nothing but love for my Navy Corpsmen brothers. I remember having to hold one of my corpsmen back, as he fought to get loose, so he could rush to treat one of my Marines that was injured in an IED blast. That HM3 did not care about the PKM fire sweeping across the field, he was going to treat his brother come hell or high water.
Semper Fi, Doc. I am sure his Marines are glad to have him around. Go on and do big things!