Sgt. Jeremy W. Caddell, right, the Marine Wing Communication Squadron 38 deputy family readiness officer and Web City, Mo., native, stands with Gunnery Sgt. David W. Smith, left, the training chief of H&S Bn., MCRD San Diego and Star, Texas, native, after Caddell was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Feb. 15. Caddell was a key contributor in saving Smith™s life after Smith was the victim of a hit-and-run accident on his motorcycle in Rancho Bernardo.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Erica Disalvo

Marine saves fellow Marine's life, awarded Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal

15 Feb 2012 | Lance Cpl. Crystal Druery Marine Corps Training and Education Command

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Sgt. Jeremy Caddell, squadron deputy family readiness officer, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, and his fiancée just so happened to be driving down Bernardo Center Drive around 12:30 p.m. on July 31 when they noticed a motorcycle accident at the intersection.

Caddell said the accident looked as though it had just happened when he got there so he rushed over to aid the victim.

“My initial thought was to make sure no one moved him and to just turn off the motorcycle because there were fluids everywhere,” said Caddell.

The victim turned out to be Gunnery Sgt. Dave Smith, training chief, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, who had just been hit by a drunk driver that had fled the scene.

“He rolled me over, cleared my airway and helped keep me (resuscitated) until paramedics arrived,” said Smith. “Once the firefighters got on scene he helped a volunteer firefighter roll me over onto the stretchers.”

Smith was unconscious from the second the SUV hit the back of his motorcycle until 10 days later.

Smith's only knowledge of what happened was from the report. When he finally woke he was informed he had sustained lacerations to his liver and kidney, a subdural hematoma and a hematoma in his throat. To make matters worse, he also suffered an internal decapitation that separated his skull and spine.

Thanks to Caddells selfless act Smith was able to walk out of the hospital three weeks and two days later.

To show thanks, Col. Wayne Sinclair, H&S Bn. Commanding Officer, MCRD, wanted to recognize Caddell by awarding him with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Feb. 15 on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, for playing a major role in the survival of another human being.

“I awarded (Caddell) with this medal as a very small token to recognize his courage and responsibility of a fellow human being who just happened to be a Marine,” said Sinclair. “I just wish I could do more.”

Caddell went above and beyond what was expected of him, reflecting great credit upon himself, upholding the highest tradition of the United Stated Marine Corps and setting the bar high for his fellow Marines.