James Takes; saving the world again
Average NCO sends us a link to the story of the latest heroism displayed by former Army Staff Sergeant James Takes. He extinguished a woman’s car fire.
“Can’t imagine starting your day out with your car on fire,” said Takes.
So when James saw flames he jumped into action. He got out of his company car and grabbed his fire extinguisher.
A witness from across the street took a photo. In her Facebook post, she’s thanking the good Samaritan of Brothers.
“If my wife’s car was on fire and someone had a fire extinguisher I’d hope they’d put it out,” said Takes.
James was one of two people who stopped to help. Had it gotten worse the car could’ve exploded.
Takes was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in Afghanistan in November, 2007;
Staff Sergeant Takes and his team were traversing a narrow path surrounded by mountainous, rocky terrain when they were ambushed by enemy forces stationed on elevated positions. Pinned against a steep mountain face, Staff Sergeant Takes and his men were totally exposed to enemy fire. Staff Sergeant Takes immediately began to provide suppressive fire for his men, allowing them to slide down the mountain in search of better cover. After being hit in the arm with small arms fire, Staff Sergeant Takes began to move down the mountain in order to link up with the others. As he did so, he noticed a fellow Soldier, Specialist Albert, lying wounded in an exposed position. Without hesitation, Staff Sergeant Takes sprinted towards his injured comrade, completely exposing himself to enemy fire. As he began to drag Specialist Albert back up the slope, he was shot in the other arm. Unable to move Specialist Albert further, Staff Sergeant Takes knelt and began to render aid to his wounded comrade. Noticing that Specialist Albert had lost his helmet, Staff Sergeant Takes gave him his own. He then moved to the Casualty Collection Point to assist his squad leader. He continued to provide aid and pull security until helicopters arrived. Staff Sergeant Takes was the last Soldier to be lifted out.
Category: Real Soldiers
God Bless them all.
Another good man…..great story, Jonn.
If he was shot in both arms how did he render first aid to the SPC?
/s
Apparently, he did it quite well, that’s how.
/s
Because he’s that much of a badass. He was absolutely shot in both arms that day. 173rd Airborne Brigade, 2-503rd, Chosen Company.
Damn! Hit the wrong button. My apologies.
I guess the difference is: rendering aid (close in, small movements, nothing heavy), versus having to pick up and carry someone with all their battle rattle.
Thanks, Jonn- I’d MUCH rather read about these selfless heroes than, well, you know. I’ll not sully the post their names.
Wow. Amazing on every level.
Just a small item: cars don’t explode unless they’re packed with explosives. I’ve seen vehicle gas tanks BLEVE while on fire, and it’s pretty underwhelming.
All the same, a burning vehicle does present some serious hazards to any would-be rescuers, especially if they don’t have proper PPE. SSGT Takes faced those hazards, manned up, and handled business. And after looking at the second half of the story, it sounds to me like we can expect nothing less, as he’s clearly not a man who stands by. He has my respect.
My take exactly, OW. Dude is BAMF. However, explosions aside, my pickup generally has 30 to 40 gallons of gasoline in a PPE/plastic something of a tank, which will melt and dump said 30-40 gallons of gasoline on the roadway. Enough to ruin a day and a set of work clothes I’d think. He was not exactly in the middle of a “how may I help you ma’am” moment. Hollywood theatrics aside, I extend generous props to the young man for his bravery. And the second tidbit on him explains why he acted in the manner he did. Actually, the car rescue probably didn’t phase him in the least. “Can’t imagine starting your day out with your car on fire.” Yea, me neither buddy. I hate when that happens…
It is heroes like James Takes, that the posers would like people to see them as. Put in the same situation they would shit themselves, and find some excuse to not man up and face the danger.
That he actually had a fire extinguisher in his vehicle is amazing. That he had the presence of mind to do something with that device in a timely manner is just Army being Army.
Fire extinguishers make great Christmas presents. That and smoke/CO detectors.
I have been conditioned to believe that the only acceptable Christmas presents are fruitcake that no one will eat and ugly/tacky sweaters that don’t fit.
On the plus side, like Hostess Twinkies, fruitcake can be re-gifted year after year.
My tinfoil hatted side says that the last fruitcake was made 100 years ago and they just keep circulating.
A bit of a public service announcement here.
A friend of mine is currently living in a hotel temporarily. He had an early-AM fire in his house. The alarm woke him up in time to get out, and the damage wasn’t that bad – but he lost a couple of pets, and the house needs some work before he can move back in.
Get, and keep, a small- or medium-sized fire extinguisher and for your house. Preferably keep in/near the kitchen (that’s where many house fires start). Make certain you keep it somewhere where it’s easy to get to in an emergency.
And check the alarms periodically. When you need them . . . you need them.
I’d like to add that if you’re going to keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, do NOT put it right next to the stove.
Since that’s the likely source of the fire, it’s hard to reach through flames to get to the extinguisher. Knowwhatimeanvern?
Hmmmm…. never thought of that. I’ll relocate mine after I get home tonight.
Thanks!
J.S. Feller
You can find one-use disposable fire extinguishers on Amazon for under $20 – at that price, you can actually train yourself and your family on them with a campfire, and afford to keep one in many rooms (I have one in each car, and one under every sink in our house).
Way to be Mr. Takes! All my respect for you.
Well done! I and another guy stopped our semi’s out in Utah, grabbed our fire extinguishers and put out an engine fire for a female a number of years ago.
Buy a one use extinguisher as SSG E said and have several handy. We’ve got a few in the house including the Kitchen next to the stove and the garage near where I cast bullets.