PARRIS ISLAND, SC, UNITED STATES -- Cpl. Miles Hogan, a musician with the Parris Island Marine Band, Headquarters and Service Battalion, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal during a ceremony at Parris Island, S.C., Aug. 24, 2017.
Hogan was awarded the medal for rescuing a man after a vehicle accident on his way back to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in February of 2016.
“It was pitch-black outside when I noticed that a minivan had made a slow right turn in front of the man driving in front of us,” said Hogan.
The van was about 10 yards ahead from the speeding small sedan behind it. The sedan did not have enough time to slow down before impacting the turning van.
“He rammed into the back of the minivan,” said Hogan. “The minivan goes off on the side of the road and flips over into a ditch. The man’s sedan swerved into oncoming traffic.”
Hogan made the quick decision to park his car on the shoulder and rush to the man’s aid.
“I opened the door and the man takes his seat belt off, and I grabbed under his arms to help him stand up, as soon as I pull him to me I took one step back and another car had hit us head on.”
The second car was a pickup truck which smashed into the car while Hogan and the driver we still behind the sedan’s door.
The impact of the collision launched both men approximately 20 feet into the air. Discarding his personal safety, Hogan got up and returned to the sedan driver who was still in immediate danger by lying on the active road.
“I stood up and looked at my arms and legs to make sure I didn’t have any broken bones,” said Hogan. “I ran over to the man and picked him up from under his arms and took him to the side of the road. His eyes were pretty dilated and he was having trouble looking left to right.”
Hogan gave the man a concussion test, and attended the man until paramedics arrived on the scene.
Following the incident Hogan was hospitalized for a bruised kidney and minor lacerations on his body from the broken glass.
In attendance of the award ceremony were Marines of Headquarters and Service Battalion, his fellow band members and his family. Brig. Gen. Austin E. Renforth, the commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Eastern Recruiting Region, presented Hogan the award.
“This was something I was looking forward to,” said Renforth. “This is something that gives me great pride and great joy that one of our own decided to put his personal safety at risk to help somebody else, because that is what we do as Marines 24/7.”
The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is awarded to any person who distinguishes them self by heroism not involving conflict with the enemy. For acts of life-saving, or attempted lifesaving, it is required that the action be performed at the risk of one’s own life. The medal was established by Congress Aug. 7, 1942. It is the highest medal someone can receive for non-combat bravery.
“The whole situation shouldn’t be an uncommon thing,” said Hogan. “I did it because I would want somebody to do it for me. It’s what you do, especially as a Marine, that’s what our reputation is built on.”