MTANG Airman

MTANG Airman's Selfless Act Helps Elderly Woman in Need

By Maj. Rick Anderson, 120th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published May 18, 2011

GREAT FALLS, Mont. -- The 120th Maintenance Group Deputy Commander, Lt. Col. Patrick Hover conveys sincere appreciation for one of his Airmen being a true wingman.

"I would like to take the time to express my thoughts on this great example of an Airman that saw something amiss and instead of ignoring it he made the decision to help. It seems in this era of selfishness in our society, lack of manners and respect for others, road rage and all the hustle and bustle out there, that as a commander we seem to get more of the negative briefed for us to take action on than rather than the positive."

"I would like to say that after I talked to the elderly woman that was affected by one young Airman that my spirit was lifted and I was grateful for the phone call from her and her husband and how she described the selfless actions of one of our own in her time of need."

"She was so proud of him and thankful for his service not only to her but for our country as well, that I wanted to share the story with you."

"So as you read the narrative, ask yourself a few questions. Am I prepared to help someone if called upon? Am I aware of my surroundings and looking for opportunities to help? Am I willing to make a difference in someone's life? Airman Codey McDonald was and did, his training served him well, and there is a proud Montana National Guard behind him and a VERY grateful older couple! Way to go Codey! Never forget we are all protectors of the citizens we serve."

Self-aid and buddy care training is something that all Airmen go through multiple times in their Air Force careers, and only a small percentage will ever have to use it and possibly save someone's life. For one Montana Air National Guard Airmen, being part of that small percentage will be something that he will never forget.

During a bitterly cold day last February, while Airman 1st Class Codey McDonald was driving to college, he noticed an elderly woman who slipped on the ice.

"I could tell something was wrong," said Airman McDonald. "There was blood coming from the woman's sock and I thought this might be a compound fracture."

The woman's husband immediately arrived. He and Airman McDonald picked up the woman and placed her in the car. "I thought we were going straight to the emergency room," added Airman McDonald. The man drove the car to their residence and turned off the engine.

The couple explained that due to their religious beliefs, they could not go to the hospital. They again picked up the woman, carried her into the house and placed her onto the kitchen floor.

"The husband was unable to contact their religious care provider, and I could see that she was in pain," said Airman McDonald. "I focused at the task at hand and realized that no one else was around to assist. I just wanted to do the best job I could."

Airman McDonald treated her for shock and placed a blanket on her elevated legs. "I removed her shoe and cut the sock from her foot to get an idea of the extent of the injury," said Airman McDonald. "I saw that it was a bad dislocation of the ankle."

The woman agreed to let him reset the ankle. Airman McDonald set her foot back into its natural state, wrapped and compressed it with a towel and continued to keep pressure on the injury until paramedics arrived.

Airman McDonald credits his first-aid skills to basic training where he had a similar mock scenario.

"I just wanted to help and do the best job I could," added Airman McDonald.

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