MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – Two Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 “Sharpshooters” were awarded Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medals during a ceremony here Aug. 6, and Aug. 8, for upholding the highest standards of the Marine Corps.
Cpl. Lindsey Schindler and Sgt. Juan C. Cervantes received the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal for helping a fellow Sharpshooter when he needed medical assistance.
On Feb. 25, Schindler, an aviation electrician and a Colfax, Wis., native, and her husband, also a Marine, found a fellow service member with the Sharpshooters, Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Richmond, unresponsive, lying face-down outside a convenience store in need of medical assistance. Without hesitation, she called emergency responders and Cervantes, a communication and navigation technician and a Sacramento, Calif., native, who lived close by to assist. The three Marines performed CPR for approximately 20 minutes before the first responders arrived.
Their efforts made it possible for the sailor’s parents to say goodbye to their son one last time before his passing. Their actions also made it possible for doctors to preserve his organs to be donated to save or influence as many as 100 lives, according to the award citation.
“A hero is defined as a defender and a protector,” said Lt. Col. Robert B. Brodie, commanding officer of VMFAT-101, and a Richboro, Penn., native. “These Marines are who I aspire to be. Marines like this make me proud to be a Marine myself.”
Schindler and Cervantes were awarded for their efforts to potentially save the lives of others.
“Anyone could be a hero just by doing the right thing.” said Schindler.