Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Justin Boling | Sloan Ulibarri, a tactical switchboard operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273,...... read more read more
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Marines are taught in recruit training to overcome whatever fear could stop them from accomplishing the mission or saving a life.
Lance Cpl. Sloan Ulibarri, a tactical switchboard operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, showed he understood those lessons on Dec. 3 when he saved a father and his two children from a burning vehicle.
The incident occurred on Boundary Street in Beaufort.
According to Ulibarri, he saw a vehicle begin to smoke and people panic while he was eating dinner with his family at a restaurant. By the time he got to the vehicle, it had caught fire, and he began to remove the family from the burning truck.
“I didn’t really take the time to think about the risk,” said Ulibarri. “I remember my wife telling me to be careful and the next thing I remember was the heat of the flames as I opened the doors to grab the first child.”
After recovering the family, he called 911 and directed traffic until the fire fighters arrived.
“He is a Marine that makes things happen fast,” said Cpl. Rick Reed, a wireman with MWSS-273. “I was not surprised by what he did. It was exactly what is expected of any Marine in that situation.”
After the rescue, Ulibarri only shared the incident with a few of the Marines in his shop, but soon after, the squadron received a letter from the wife of the man who Ulibarri pulled from the fiery vehicle.
In her letter Jessica Hughes, the wife and mother of the victims of the accident, said Ulibarri could never be repaid for his actions to ensure her family’s safety, and he was a hero that she could not thank enough for what he did that night.
Last week, Ulibarri was recognized by Maj. Gen. Jon Davis, the commanding general of 2d Marine Air Wing, who awarded Ulibarri with a coin for his actions.
“I just did what I thought was right,” said Ulibarri. “The coin was awesome, but the true reward was I knew a family was safe and no lives were lost that night.”
The selflessness and bravery of this Marine has left a lasting impression on his fellow Marines and leadership.
“Since standing on those yellow footprints you begin to learn the concept of self-sacrifice and to do the right thing. After becoming a Marine, we live by that ideal,” said Gunnery Sgt. Vincent Harris, the acting communication chief for MWSS-273. “When I heard Ulibarri’s story, I was very impressed by his ability to live up to what a hero is.”
Marines protect the citizens of this country wherever or whenever danger is present.
“It is a Marine’s job to defend Americans overseas, but also in the communities we are a part of,” said Reed. “Ulibarri showed the citizens of this city that Marines care and are here to protect them no matter what.”
Marines are sworn to protect America, including all of it citizens whether a fellow Marine in combat or a civilian who suffered an accident. Ulibarri demonstrated a true understanding of what it means to shut out fear and doubt and save the lives of those in distress.
| Date Taken: | 03.12.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.12.2011 00:42 |
| Story ID: | 66915 |
| Location: | BEAUFORT, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 499 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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