CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Lt. Col. Kevin Prindiville presented the Navy and Marine Corps
Commendation medal to Lance Cpl. Anthony Kelly Oct. 29, for Kelly’s actions in
the line of duty.
Kelly saved the life of an unresponsive female in base
housing by utilizing his CPR skills to sustain her until paramedics arrived.
“This is a great occasion to bring everyone together to
recognize Lance Cpl. Kelly’s outstanding efforts,” said Prindiville, provost marshal
for Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, about Kelly. “Lance Cpl. Kelly’s actions
really highlight the importance of having the right, highly trained, and quick
thinking personnel out there on the job. Kelly’s efforts really contributed to
the life of the patient being saved.”
On July 15, 2014, Kelly was dispatched to South Mesa Housing
for an unresponsive female, who was not breathing. Upon arrival Kelly noticed
the girl lying on the floor. He put his CPR mask on the victim and began administering
chest compressions on her. He started with two breaths and 10 chest
compressions. During the compressions the patient took two breaths and then
stopped breathing. This continued for three continuous minutes sustaining the
patient until the paramedics arrived.
Kelly’s award reads, “Lance Corporal Kelly’s quick thinking
and actions were instrumental in saving the life of the patient.”
“I remember arriving at the scene and I ripped my CPR mask
out and immediately conducted CPR without hesitation. I had nothing going
through my mind but ‘please let this lady live’,” said Kelly. “The fire chief
said that I arrived six to seven minutes before they did, and those minutes
were critical in saving her life”
Paramedics were able to stabilize the victim and transport her
to the hospital where they treated and then subsequently released her.
“His efforts to save the life of an individual will continue
to have a significant and lasting effect on the Marines within [the Provost
Marshal's Office]. For this, Lance Cpl. Kelly is most deserving of the Navy and
Marine Corps Commendation Medal,” Lt. Jonathan Magann, watch officer for 3rd
Platoon, Military Police Department wrote
in the summary report recommending Kelly for the award.
Kelly has served with the Camp Pendleton Police Department
for just over a year and is a native of Flint, Michigan.
“Wow, this is pretty crazy. My moral is through the roof,”
said Kelly about receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. “Hopefully
I can push other people to make the right decisions and to do what you were
trained to do so they can feel this too.”
After the ceremony Marines and police department employees
congratulated Kelly on a job well done.