A paratrooper 24/7: Red Falcon pulls woman from burning vehicle during leave

Photo By Matthew Ryan | Pfc. Mike D. Parmelee, a paratrooper assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, stands for a photo after being interviewed about saving a woman from a burning vehicle. Parmelee was on leave when his vehicle was struck by a semi truck before it hit another car causing it to catch on fire with two civilians still inside, June 19, in Beaverton, Ore. Parmelee's training helped him react quickly and pull the passenger from the car, as local police helped the driver. Parmelee is a native of Hillsboro, Ore.  

FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

06.28.2012

Story by Sgt. Matthew Ryan 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A paratrooper helped save two civilians from a burning vehicle, June 19, around 1:30 p.m. in Beaverton, Ore., when a semi-truck struck the paratroopers vehicle before hitting another car causing it to catch fire.

Pfc. Mike D. Parmelee, a paratrooper assigned to C. Company, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division on Fort Bragg, N.C., said, “I am just glad to have been there to help those people.” Parmelee described how after he was hit by the truck, he watched the car get hit and catch on fire. Then he rushed to the aid of the civilian, pulling the passenger from the burning car, as local police pulled the driver out before the car was engulfed in flames. He was visiting family and friends in his hometown of Hillsboro, Org. when this happened.

Capt. Craig Arnold, commander of C Company, 1-325th AIR, described Parmelee as a quiet and professional paratrooper. He mentioned that when Parmelee came back from leave, he didn’t even tell anyone about the event, showing his modesty.

Parmelee said he wasn’t trying to be a hero, and wasn’t looking to make the news, he just reacted to the situation. “All I thought about was how to pull the woman from the car, before the fire spread.” He mentioned that his training in first aid, helped in keeping the woman calm, and moving her to safety. “The training I have received, helped me think on my feet,” talking about vehicle roll over drills his unit conducts.

The 2BCT “Falcon Brigade” trains its paratroopers continently for any kind of mission, from combat in Afghanistan to humanitarian aid in Haiti. The Brigade has a long history of paratroopers going above and beyond from their duty, being America’s Guard of Honor, anywhere and at any time.

• Date Taken: 06.28.2012
• Date Posted: 07.05.2012 09:56
• Story ID: 91125
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US
• Hometown: HILLSBORO, OREGON, US