Maine Guardsmen Receives Award for Saving Child’s Life

Photo By Staff Sgt. Angela Parady | Col. Dwaine Drummond shakes the hand of Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Way after presenting him with the Meritorious Service Medal at the Norway armory, March 6. On Oct. 11, 2015, members from a local church were attending financial education training at the Norway Armory when a young boy became unresponsive and stopped breathing. Way quickly responded by performing CPR on the child while Way’s wife dialed 911. Way was able to bring the boy back to consciousness and kept everyone calm until an ambulance would arrive approximately 10 minutes later. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Parady)  

NORWAY, ME, UNITED STATES

03.06.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Angela Parady 

121st Public Affairs Detachment

A Maine Army National Guardsmen was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal March 6, in recognition for his quick thinking and actions in saving the life of a young boy in Norway, Maine.

Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Way was attending a financial course at the Maine National Guard’s Norway armory in October 2015 when a man rushed into the classroom holding his young child, yelling that Nathan was dead.

“I could see that the man was visibly shaken, so I instructed him to give his son to me and I laid him down onto the floor so I could quickly assess the situation,” said Way.

Way began to check for responsiveness, while his wife, Heather, dialed 911. Nathan, with his blonde hair reminded Way of his own young children, and his heart sank for the family.

“The boy had no pulse, there was no rise and fall of the chest, and his lips had turned blue from lack of oxygen,” said Way. After checking to make sure the airway was clear, Way began to administer CPR.

His military training had provided him with many opportunities to treat fellow Soldiers, but never children.

“I just kept thinking please, Lord, help this kid,” said Way.

During the third round of rescue breaths, Nathan opened his eyes. At this time, he was breathing on his own, but it was very shallow.

Way, the Readiness Noncommissioned Officer and Platoon Sergeant for the 251st Engineer Company (SAPPER) in Norway has served in the Army for 12 years. Way said his time in the military helped prepare him to handle difficult and traumatic situations with confidence, especially in keeping others calm. In this situation he was able to render care to Nathan, which enabled the clearly shaken parents to recover enough from the traumatic event to be able to answer the questions from Way, and later the 911 dispatcher.

Way sat with Nathan and his mother Jessica while they waited for the ambulance to come. During that ten minutes, they talked with Nathan and kept him awake until the professionals were able to take him to the hospital and stabilize him. Way and Heather went to visit later that evening, and Nathan was doing better, but Way said he was still shaken by the day.

After the incident, Way reached out to his senior leadership not to discuss his actions that day, but to request additional training for Soldiers employed in a full-time status throughout the state. All Soldiers are combat lifesaver trained, but that course does not include CPR measures. In his previous unit, the 11th Weapons of Mass Destruction- Civil Support Team, CPR training is mandatory so he was able to draw upon what he had learned in that class.

Way emphasized, “I believe that it is important full-time staff are trained in CPR, and eventually all Soldiers. I personally learned very quickly that you never know when things are going to happen, and as Soldiers we are looked to by others as always having the answer in the time of need and being prepared to respond during an emergency. I know that we already have so much on our plates, but I believe this is truly important, and could determine life or death for someone.”

Leadership for the 133rd Engineer Battalion, 52nd Troop Command, and the Maine National Guard Safety Office listened to Way’s request. The Battalion has put a stronger emphasis on CPR and other lifesaving training so that more Soldiers would be able to respond to emergencies like this and make a difference.

“Way was trained properly and was in the right place at the right time to fulfill our mission to protect the citizens of Maine,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Dill, command sergeant major for the 133rd. “We all hope that we could do the same. With training, more of us will.”

The Meritorious Service Medal Way was honored with is a military award presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States.

“Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Way is an exceptional Soldier,” said Dill, “He has strong family support and is a man of faith. He truly embodies the Army values. He is a Soldier, a professional, a father and a leader that all should aspire to be.”

• Date Taken: 03.06.2016
• Date Posted: 03.06.2016 15:40
• Story ID: 191285
• Location: NORWAY, ME, US