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CE 30 Under 30: A1C Ethan Embrey [Image 13 of 22]

DC, UNITED STATES

09.19.2023

Courtesy Photo

Headquarters Air Force, Office of the Director of Civil Engineers

Squadron: 35th Civil Engineer Squadron
Base: Misawa Air Base, Japan
Nominated by: Lt Col Byung-Suk Choi

A1C Ethan Embrey was on flightline CFR standby supporting multi-lateral flying ops on Tinian during Exercise COPE North. On 17 February 2023, while on standby, Embrey and his crew were alerted by an SFS Airman of a serious single vehicle accident with severe injuries. Embrey quickly reacted, jumping into a support vehicle to respond to the scene of the accident. Upon arrival, he assessed the scene and identified two victims, one male, one female, that had been ejected from the vehicle with severe injuries. Embrey quickly triaged patients and identified the female patient was experiencing altered mental status, with facial lacerations, an avulsion on her leg and an open foot fracture. Additionally, she was demonstrating signs of severe internal bleeding. He quickly treated wounds and packaged the female for transport, placing her on a stretcher. During transport, she lost peripheral pulses in both legs and arms, clear signs that she was going into shock. Embrey identified the female patient was in a critical status and made the decision to load her on a waiting C-130. Embrey requested a bystander to deliver an emergency message to the C-130 to delay its departure. His actions ensured the female patient was evacuated from Tinian to Guam, who determined they did not have the capabilities to treat. She was then evacuated to Hawaii, where it was determined that she had a severed femoral artery in her left leg, which was subsequently amputated. Embrey’s quick and decisive actions that day saved her life. Embrey is 22 years old, from Martinsburg, West Virginia. He is dating a pageant queen from Jefferson, West Virginia. He enjoys outdoor activities, sports and camping. He is currently in week three of Misawa’s 3rd week of a NREMT course. His future plans are to become a paramedic. His DEROS is November 2024.