Combat Medic uses skills to save NCO’s life

By Sergeant First Class Pete Mayes
101st Sustainment Brigade

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., October 8, 2009 – Specialist Timothy Lee has used his skills to save the lives of Iraqi nationals while he was deployed in theater. He recently used those skills again, this time to help save the life of a fellow Soldier here at Fort Campbell.
Specialist Lee, who is assigned to the 2-44th Air Defense Artillery Battalion, used CPR to save the life of fellow battalion Sergeant First Class Peter Kelly. He received an Army Commendation Medal for his actions.
Major Robert “Sean” Newell, Battalion Executive Officer, 2-44th ADA, said Lee’s actions that day were in keeping with the Army Creed.
As Soldiers, we are never to leave behind a fallen comrade. On that day, (Lee) exemplified that,” he said.
Specialist Lee said he was returning to his barracks Monday morning, October 7 from his overnight duty as the medic at the Expert Field Medical Badge Course. As he got out of his truck, he said he was told a medic was needed to help a Soldier who was on the ground across the street.
“I got there and there were about 10 Soldiers huddled around (SFC Kelly). He was on the ground and he didn’t have a pulse,” Specialist Lee said.
Specialist Lee said he began to administer Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation to SFC Kelly in an attempt to revive him. He continued to do so until an EMT unit arrived and took the sergeant to Blanchfield Army Community Hospital.
Sergeant First Class Kelly was later transferred to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. He is listed in serious condition.
Specialist Lee, who has been in the Army over two years, said he used the life-saving steps to treat SFC Kelly … skills that all Combat Medics learn in their Advance Individual Training. These same skills are what the medics are using as they compete for the right to wear the EFMB badge.
“It’s about them using those skills and being proficient with them in a combat environment,” he said.
Asked if he thought his skills made a difference in saving the sergeant’s life, Lee answered humbly. “I think so,” he said.