Photo By Cpl. Khoa Pelczar | Capt. David B. Blann (left), company commander, and Cpl. Nicholas Mejia, ammunition...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – An ammunition technician Marine with Ammunition Company, 1st Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, was awarded for his heroic actions while off duty.
Cpl. Nicholas Mejia, 22, from Harrison, N.J., received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, here, Feb. 23, after his command learned about his heroic act last October.
Mejia aided a 75-year-old father to find his diabetic son when they were separated while hiking on the Timber Tops trail in the rugged back country of Big Sur, Calif., Oct. 16. Grateful for Mejia’s kindness, the father, John Q. Bellingham, wrote a letter to Mejia’s command, fully explaining Mejia’s action.
“Sir, I wish to bring to your attention my appreciation for actions of assistance to me and my son, rendered by an individual serving under your command, Cpl. Nicholas Mejia,” Bellingham wrote.
According to Bellingham’s letter, the pair was hiking and became separated. He waited for his son at the trailhead, hoping for the arrival of his son. After an hour, Bellingham feared for the worse and contacted 911 for assistance. Another hour had gone by and help was nowhere to be found. From the distance, Bellingham mistaken Mejia’s vehicle for an emergency vehicle dispatched in response to his call, he waved for help but was disappointed as the vehicle drove past. Moments later, Mejia’s vehicle reappeared from the opposite direction and offered assistance.
“I explained my problem, thanked him for his kindness, but said I was expecting help to arrive soon,” Bellingham wrote. “Nicholas told me he was a Marine, had training in search and rescue, could probably carry my son out if he indeed was injured and proposed going up the trail to look for him while I stayed below to await assistance. I reluctantly agreed, since he could do what I clearly could not.”
As Bellingham waited, the night grew closer and he was concerned for his son’s safety, so he left a note on his car and headed up the trail, Bellingham explained. Within 30 minutes, he saw Mejia and his son, Jonathan, coming down. Jonathan was in rough condition as he had used all his water and sugar supply.
Once they returned to their home, Bellingham re-called 911 to give them the news, only to find out that they had a record of his original call, but had yet to dispatch help. In a moment of anger, he responded to the operator, “Don’t bother, the Marine has sorted it out!”
Bellingham described Mejia as not only generously helpful, he was extraordinarily humble and sought no recognition. Bellingham said he knew he had to let people know of Mejia’s action. Through the help of 1st MLG’s Public Affairs Office, he identified Mejia’s unit and the name and address of Mejia’s commanding officer.
Mejia said the news came as a surprise to him. He didn’t learn about the award until the night before.
“My friends told me I was getting a NAM the next day, I was like, 'stop playing,'” he said. “Before I know it, I was standing in a formation and was called forth to face our company commander. That’s when it really hit me.”
So honored to receive such an award, Mejia was at a loss for words.
“It’s crazy. This is the first time I got recognized and congratulated for being myself,” he said. “It’s good to finally get notice for something and I firmly believe in helping people. This will be one of the few things I can take away from the Marine Corps in an official document, rather than just stories and memories.”
Mejia couldn’t wait to tell his family of his big Marine Corps achievement.
“I haven’t told my family yet, but I’m sure they’ll be happy and proud of me when they hear the news,” he said.
Bellingham ended his letter with his sincere appreciation to Mejia’s action that day, he wrote, “… Cpl. Nicholas Mejia’s actions reflect well on the spirit of service and sacrifice the corps instills in its members. Please let Nick know of my deep appreciation.”
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.24.2012 17:02 |
| Story ID: | 84320 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Hometown: | HARRISON, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 369 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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