Veteran Poise: Would you have charged into a burning vehicle to save three strangers?

RallyPoint Team — Wed, 20 May 2015 08:42:14 -0400

Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h96-rNE5bY8

You may have seen this on the news: an off-duty Army Captain rushed into a burning vehicle to save three strangers... While wearing a Captain America t-shirt.

Is this a shining example of our service members and veterans at their finest? Would you have the courage to do what he did?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 8:48 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 08:48:57 -0400

As a matter of fact, I have.
You don't really think in these situations, you just do what you have to do.

A word of warning, fire hurts. A lot.
A whole bunch of second and third degree burns later, I really paid for that. The cleaning process for a contaminated burn would have been right at home during the Spanish Inquisition.

I still get a Christmas card annualy from one of those Families, and just the other day got invited to one of the girl's weddings in San Antonio.
I'm looking forward to it very much.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 20 at 2015 8:51 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Wed, 20 May 2015 08:51:29 -0400

Yes, I would have no regard for my safety to help these people.

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made May 20 at 2015 8:51 AM

MAJ Ron Peery — Wed, 20 May 2015 08:51:47 -0400

Did it once in Germany, but the car was empty. Driver had already bailed and run off. It's the thought that counts.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 20 at 2015 8:56 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 20 May 2015 08:56:13 -0400

I guess my original comment was deleted?

All I said was good on the soldier who did this. Its hard to say whether I would act and risk my own life and the welfare of my family in the process, I'd like to think I would.

I think SMs as a group are inherently more biased toward action.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 8:57 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 08:57:14 -0400

I would like to think that faced with that situation any member of the military would display that level of courage!

Response by SSG Melvin Nulph made May 20 at 2015 8:59 AM

SSG Melvin Nulph — Wed, 20 May 2015 08:59:37 -0400

Do not think I own a Caption America t-shirt, but would hope I have not turned into a ruber neck, that would just stand by to see what others are going to do when someone is in need of help.
Yes it does show the type of pepole we have and had are in our military. We do have some that would do nothing but I believe most would react, as the Caption has showed.
Very proud of him for doing the right thing and not standing around like others.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 9:05 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 09:05:52 -0400

Yes. I do. I'm a fire fighter for one. 2nd, I've never hesitated to help anyone, including saving a police officer who got in trouble when he tried to execute an arrest warrant on a fugitive. Fugitive had broken away from him, and was trying to get into a house to retrieve a gun - but the deputy was just able to hang on to him and keep him from going in the house (we didn't know the perp had a weapon inside at that point). I saw the situation, ran up, grabbed the perp, and threw him down on the ground. Helped the deputy cuff him, and then the rest of about 12 other cops (local and county) started showing up. Search of the house turned up a stolen 9mm. Had I not acted, perp would have possibly gotten the gun, and tried to kill the cop.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made May 20 at 2015 9:20 AM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Wed, 20 May 2015 09:20:40 -0400

Done it, we had a German WWI veteran living with us in a separate dettached room he had in our backyard. He always locked his door and this time he had recently bought a kerosene heater that he tripped on and turned over. Kerosene spilled all over his room and pretty much conflagrated.

As soon as I saw the glow outside my window I ran to try and get him out. His window had burst and flames were leaping out as I'm kicking and bashing his door, by the time I managed to break his door open it was already too late. Fire dept. came in shortly after to deal with the aftermath.

Even though we lost him, it goes to show that anyone can be faced with a situation like the above captain, you just react and do whatever needs to be done.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 20 at 2015 9:23 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 20 May 2015 09:23:31 -0400

While I cannot say I would have the courage to wear a Captain America t-shirt, I think we all...most...have the stupid gene that causes us to rush into burning building or toward the sound of the shooting, and to think about it later. There has been more than one time when I have acted...or reacted...and if I stopped, and thought about it, it might have made more sense to have not done what really needed to be done?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 9:29 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 09:29:50 -0400

Yes, without hesitation. I'm a medic, when people start running away from something... I start running towards it.

Response by LTC Gavin Heater made May 20 at 2015 9:40 AM

LTC Gavin Heater — Wed, 20 May 2015 09:40:45 -0400

I ran over to a burning motorcycle and smashed up pick-up as a 17 year old teenager after witnessing the cyclist blindly t-bone a pick-up truck. I put out the fire, told someone to call 9-1-1 and checked on the drivers. Both were beyond my level of basic first aid training, and the cyclist actually died in front of me from massive head and spinal injuries. The other driver was in rough shape, but she survived.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 20 at 2015 10:35 AM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 20 May 2015 10:35:06 -0400

I've never been in this situation but I would hope the answer would be yes! I have witnessed accidents where a car has rolled over but the victims all made it out of the vehicle. I did stop to ask if anyone was hurt and needed first aid (I'm not a Corpsman but like most Sailors do have basic first aid training) but luckily there were no serious injuries and police and EMS were already on their way.

Response by SFC Douglas Duckett made May 20 at 2015 10:43 AM

SFC Douglas Duckett — Wed, 20 May 2015 10:43:52 -0400

MSG Brad Sand That "stupid gene" is one of the reason most people join the military. Although our adrenalin addiction levels vary, we generally seek the rush. Some of us get it from jumping from airplanes, other from just doing an obstacle course or physical training.

This addiction makes use less fearful of our own safety, after all, most of the military is in the "indestructible" mindset that comes with being young. This fearlessness is what makes our military the greatest in the world.

Response by SGT Jimmy Carpenter made May 20 at 2015 10:53 AM

SGT Jimmy Carpenter — Wed, 20 May 2015 10:53:27 -0400

I have a Captain America tee shirt but I have not stumbled upon a burning wreck as of yet.

Nobody ever plans a heroic deed, they just do it...or don't do it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 11:09 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 11:09:31 -0400

Every time. Everyone has someone that loves them. I would hope someone would do it for my family!

Response by SFC Ron Chelsy made May 20 at 2015 11:18 AM

SFC Ron Chelsy — Wed, 20 May 2015 11:18:08 -0400

It's one of those questions that would make you think, of course I would to help others in need. But until we are put in to that situation, we never really know how we would act. Being trained to put our lives on the line, I believe I would, or at least like to think I would yet at the same time I hope I never have to be put into that situation.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 11:41 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 11:41:45 -0400

If I can do it with a burning MAXXPRO, I can do it with a car...when lives are on the line, you either buck up or shut up.

Response by SPC James Patton made May 20 at 2015 12:02 PM

SPC James Patton — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:02:52 -0400

I have never been faced with a situation like that, so I can't say yes or no. I would hope that I would do the right thing no matter what the cost.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 12:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:20:33 -0400

Yes.

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made May 20 at 2015 1:02 PM

SSG Paul Setterholm — Wed, 20 May 2015 13:02:06 -0400

It is easy to say I would but who knows... I believe I would though.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 1:55 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 13:55:50 -0400

I honestly don’t know how I would react. I have intervened in other situations involving civilians in distress that I didn’t know but those situations don’t even come close to this one. I would like to think and hope that I would spring into action. Great question though.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 20 at 2015 2:36 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 20 May 2015 14:36:39 -0400

I would like to think I would, but I really don't know.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 20 at 2015 2:41 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 20 May 2015 14:41:03 -0400

In Iraq. There was a Bradley Platoon Sgt whose vehicle hit an IED and caught fire. Saturated with fuel he went in five times to rescues his soldiers. Before he died someone asked why did he go into a burning vehicle five times, and responded with it was not their time for their maker yet.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 4:36 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:36:18 -0400

Hope he gets appropriate recognition for his actions.

I've been in situations where folks have done similar things off duty....i.e. putting their lives at risk to save others......and they get not recognition because "it's their job" since they were EMTs, Firefighter, Security Forces....etc... Sorry but responding off duty without proper equipment deserves recognition period......even had one time where individual were counselled for violating safety procedures when they rescued someone from a burning car that flipped over in a tunnel and yes you read that right they receive LOCs for not following safety protocols while off duty. Anyway.....good on the Capt....would like to think most people, especially military folks, would rush into help....but hey I just picked up a new pair of rose colored glasses and they have yet to be scratched up.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 20 at 2015 5:18 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:18:08 -0400

I love the members of RallyPoint. This discussion thread is another great example of their prudence and common sense. The responses are a prudent mixture of those who either respond with examples of their own reactions in similar circumstances or an admission of not knowing how they might react. There is no other honest answer.

Thank you to those who have endangered themselves to save others and thank you to those who have not had the opportunity and have answered so well.

Y'all make me proud

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made May 20 at 2015 5:38 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:38:37 -0400

Good to see you are back Hunter! As for the article, OUTSTANDING and very heroic

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 20 at 2015 5:40 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:40:41 -0400

Nice! Thanks for posting!!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 5:39 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:39:44 -0400

Well done, Sir!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 5:48 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:48:29 -0400

AWESOME!!!!!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made May 20 at 2015 5:53 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:53:09 -0400

Taught him everything he knows!....lol

Response by SGT John Wesley made May 20 at 2015 6:02 PM

SGT John Wesley — Wed, 20 May 2015 18:02:37 -0400

I would hope so. Last year I pulled a girl out of an undertow over at Vero Beach, I was the closest to her and I really didn't think about it. My old lady was not happy about it, but in that type of issue, time is of the essence. I'd do it again if I had to.

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made May 20 at 2015 6:25 PM

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Wed, 20 May 2015 18:25:25 -0400

If I could get them out I would.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 20 at 2015 7:37 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:37:04 -0400

Nice picture SGT Private RallyPoint Member --- who is the young soldier there with you?

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made May 20 at 2015 7:39 PM

Sgt Jay Jones — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:39:26 -0400

Yes!

Response by PO2 Skip Kirkwood made May 20 at 2015 7:51 PM

PO2 Skip Kirkwood — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:51:48 -0400

I am the Chief Paramedic of the agency that handled this event - Durham County EMS. Captain Vogelzon deserves all the credit coming his way for his response to this event.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made May 20 at 2015 7:58 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:58:15 -0400

Everyone says that they would, and everyone believes that. But in all actuality no one really knows what they would do until it happens right in front of them. Hopefully, because of our training and instincts, we would all do the right thing and have the courage , without thinking about it, to save someone from any burning vehicle or building. Hell, when I was a Trooper, it was second nature to save people from all types of accidents and disasters. I even climbed up a bridge, over 100 feet off the Interstate, to save a jumper. When I did that, I did not think about any consequences or my safety, I just automatically knew it had to be done. After doing that and saving that person's life, I could not stop shaking for about 2 hours.

Response by SFC(P) Aaron Fore made May 20 at 2015 8:26 PM

SFC(P) Aaron Fore — Wed, 20 May 2015 20:26:42 -0400

A true American super hero.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 8:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 20:52:19 -0400

Hey were proud to see one of our own on TV preforming a lifesaving feat. We just don't go in and kill, blow up things, we are life savers as well! My hats off to you Sir, good job and God bless you!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 8:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 20:54:00 -0400

Man, anyone that wouldn't is just, what's the word... oh a coward.
I would absolutely have to try to get the folks out. I stop at every accident to make sure things are going ok till the ambulance or EMS arrive. That is just my conscience talking to me. It should be in everyone! But I understand that not all are like that. Unfortunately.

Response by SGT Richard H. made May 20 at 2015 10:59 PM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 20 May 2015 22:59:10 -0400

This particular situation has never been in front of me, but if it was, I would do what I had to do to save them.

Response by Sgt Jerami Ballard made May 21 at 2015 2:13 AM

Sgt Jerami Ballard — Thu, 21 May 2015 02:13:57 -0400

Saved a drowning boy from a riptide once, and that should say something cause I am a shit swimmer.

It is summed up simply, "When shit hits the fan, training takes over. Don't think, act."

I think what is more amazing than what this officer did, which is by zero means a small feat, is the amount of servicemembers or veterans in general who responded to situations like this.
Two of my Marines went into a burning building to rescue a family while we were in Okinawa. I was contacting the local fire department from outside. I did my part, they did theirs and when time for recognition came, I let them shine.

Response by SPC(P) Mark Newman made May 21 at 2015 2:25 AM

SPC(P) Mark Newman — Thu, 21 May 2015 02:25:25 -0400

I can only HOPE I would have the courage to do so. Laying in bed typing on my smartphone, yeah, I think I'd try to do the same. I know I want that to be the case. But really, to know for certain, I have to wait until there is an opportunity to respond, and then to do it, and do it well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 9:19 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 09:19:26 -0400

I did something similar, entering my neighbor's burning apartment amidst a consuming fire and pulling them to safety. Once I realized he was inside, it didn't occur to me that there was another option... I didn't consider it courageous or heroic, just what a decent human being should do.

http://www.army.mil/article/16293/_quot_Black_Lion_quot__saves_1_4_CAV_Soldier_from_apartment_fire/

Response by CPL Jay Freeman made May 21 at 2015 10:10 AM

CPL Jay Freeman — Thu, 21 May 2015 10:10:43 -0400

19 delta Army in the civilian world I volunteered as a firefight and emt I love to run the wrong way. Yes run from the burning building I will go in and start dancing with the devil don't worry me and my brothers got this

Response by SGT Mark Sullivan made May 21 at 2015 10:18 AM

SGT Mark Sullivan — Thu, 21 May 2015 10:18:12 -0400

Who knows, none of us can really say yes or no, until we have been in that situation ourselves. We can, although, speculate what we might do, or what we would want to do. That being said, I'd like to think that I would.

Response by CPL Pappy Groves made May 21 at 2015 1:48 PM

CPL Pappy Groves — Thu, 21 May 2015 13:48:30 -0400

I am currently working as an EMT-Paramedic and though I have worked several MVC's, none as yet were on fire. Would I go in to get them? I'm pretty sure I would, even though it is against protocol, but until one is in a situation like that, how can you truly know what you will do, until after you've done it?
Yes, I have done some very wreckless and dangerous things, but how do you know what you'll do in a hypothetical until it is presented in reality?
Again, I am pretty sure I would, but an not say so with absolute certainty.

Response by PO2 Terry Meadows made May 21 at 2015 3:37 PM

PO2 Terry Meadows — Thu, 21 May 2015 15:37:01 -0400

Easy answer yes!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 6:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 18:51:28 -0400

Yes I have seen the video and he should be commended for his heroism.

Response by SFC Maury Gonzalez made May 21 at 2015 7:37 PM

SFC Maury Gonzalez — Thu, 21 May 2015 19:37:05 -0400

Where's his soldiers medal

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 5:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 05:25:02 -0400

I used to do it all of the time before the Army (maybe that doesn't count though) when I was a firefighter. Would I do now, yeah I would I mean what are the options, drive by and let them burn to death? Would I want my daughter and wife to be those people? Nah. I couldn't let them, it is not that I am a hero, it wasn't that I was a hero when I was a firefighter. I left it to be a Soldier, I did it because I loved the job. I saved people (and lost people) because it was what I felt I was called to do. If I saw someone in a situation that I KNEW I could handle (and fire is one of those situations) then I could not pass it up (just like I could not pass up a firefight in combat, because I KNOW I can handle it) Weird? Maybe, Hero complex? Nah I don't think so, just who I am.

Response by SPC Allison Joy Cumming made May 22 at 2015 10:15 AM

SPC Allison Joy Cumming — Fri, 22 May 2015 10:15:52 -0400

I would certainly like to think so, but you never know until you are in the moment. Given my history I believe yes.

Response by SSG John Erny made May 22 at 2015 3:34 PM

SSG John Erny — Fri, 22 May 2015 15:34:13 -0400

Clearly deserves a soldiers medal!

Response by SGT Lawrence Corser made May 22 at 2015 4:18 PM

SGT Lawrence Corser — Fri, 22 May 2015 16:18:21 -0400

yes

Response by SPC George Adkins made May 22 at 2015 9:17 PM

SPC George Adkins — Fri, 22 May 2015 21:17:43 -0400

I tried once. A car had been hit by a train. I tried to open the door to get them out. The car was fully engulfed in flames. All I could do was step back and watch them burn. True story. I was 19 or 20 years old and home on leave. I still see their faces at night sometimes. I even try to convince myself that they were already dead, but I know better.

Response by PV2 Violet Case made May 22 at 2015 9:55 PM

PV2 Violet Case — Fri, 22 May 2015 21:55:49 -0400

I look at it this way, God will help me find a way because yes I am a believer that is my choice. But I am already sick and they say dying. So if I can save lives in anyway possible then yes not matter if a car or building. I did help a boy once in something similar even before I new my sickness was as bad as it was. He was driving 70 miles an hour when he hit a tree going off a tee road and my x husband told me no I threw the ice cream I was eating at him and ran to the kids car. I was a registered red cross too.

Response by SGT(P) Kenneth Jones made May 30 at 2015 4:33 PM

SGT(P) Kenneth Jones — Sat, 30 May 2015 16:33:51 -0400

Yes!

Response by SFC Robert Escher made Jan 16 at 2017 10:27 AM

SFC Robert Escher — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 10:27:11 -0500

Yes absolutely and for several years my job as a traffic accident investigator I was involved in many traffic accidents ( investigating) them and many times went into situations that involved serious situations like this

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Jan 19 at 2017 8:27 PM

SGT Paul Mackay — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 20:27:58 -0500

yes