Duty calls: US Marine saves life while on duty

Photo By Cpl. Samuel Brusseau | U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Forest Kenworthy, a fixed-wing airframe mechanic with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225, poses for a photo at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Oct. 23, 2018. Kenworthy saved a civilian from drowning while on duty in Guam. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel Brusseau)  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN

10.24.2018

Story by Lance Cpl. Seth Rosenberg 

1st Marine Aircraft Wing   

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan (Oct. 24, 2018) — U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Forest Kenworthy, a fixed-wing airframe mechanic with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225, saved a life while in the role of the duty noncommissioned officer at a hotel near Tumon Bay, Guam, Sept. 28, 2018.

Marines with VMFA (AW) 225 were staying in the hotel during a series of training exercises and unit-level training events at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

“At 01:32 A.M. on September 29th, I was relieved by my ‘A-duty’ so I could go on sleeping post,” said Kenworthy. “When I got to my room, I looked at the view of the ocean from my balcony. As I was looking out I noticed a female civilian out in the surf, intoxicated, about 50 feet from shore. She had a bag in one hand and a beer in the other. She suddenly stumbled and fell face first in the water, and she stopped moving.”

Kenworthy made the decision to help the intoxicated woman. “I thought of my wife, parents, brothers, family, what would they think if I saw this and didn’t act?” He said.

“I shouted, ‘ma'am are you alright? Ma’am!' She had let go of the items in her hands,” Kenworthy said. “I made my way downstairs; out the hotel lobby and on to the beach. At this time in the morning it was dark and I had to search quickly. I located her and ran to pull her out of the thigh high water. I dragged her to shore, talking to her, telling her she would be alright. She started to throw up sea water, alcohol and vomit. I treated for shock, talking to her, looking for a response.”

Kenworthy then led her to the hotel lobby and logged the incident in the duty logbook before continuing on his sleeping post.

“The Marine Corps taught me to help and protect those who cannot help or protect themselves,” said Kenworthy. “To lead by example and do the right thing is what Marines are all about.”

Kenworthy received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his quick, decisive thinking and honorable actions that morning.

• Date Taken: 10.24.2018
• Date Posted: 12.17.2018 02:42
• Story ID: 302243
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JP