SUWON, SOUTH KOREA — It started as a weekend getaway for him, but it ended up being a pivotal moment in a young girl's life.
"The waves were swelling up and she was caught between them in deep water. At first, we heard the two girls yelling and we didn't understand what they were saying but it was obvious the child was in trouble and I had to help."
That's how Pfc. Richard Bigouette of Bravo Company, 602nd Aviation Support Battalion described the events that unfolded June 13 at Haeundae Beach in Busan.
Bigouette was swimming a little way from shore with Pfc. Joshua Davis, also of Bravo 602nd ASB, when he heard frantic screams from people on the beach pointing to a place beyond the waves, more than 50 yards out into the water.
A little girl was struggling for her life as she tried to remain above the water. Another girl, standing waist-deep in the choppy water between the waves, was crying for help. Bigouette swam quickly to the girl, wrapped his arm around her shoulder and swam back through the waves toward the shore where Davis stood by to help bring her ashore.
For his act of selfless service, the governor of Gyeonggi province presented Bigouette with a silver plaque of appreciation.
"Thank you for saving the young girl. I think highly of your [compassion for others]," said Gov. Kim, Moon-Soo. "Even though you are very young, you did something an older person may not have done."
Bigouette, a 19-year-old native of Texas, hasn't completed combat lifesaver training, but he attributes his quick assessment of the situation to Army basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C.
"I had a drill sergeant in basic training who had a strong influence on me. He taught us to be confident and professional and most of all to be vigilant, always keeping an eye on everything that happens around us," said the Apache armament, avionics and electronics specialist.
"It may also have been what my father has taught me, to help anyone in need."
"We talk about helping the community when you go off base, being courteous and helping others when you can," said Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Santos, 2nd CAB command sergeant major.
"Our Soldiers take on the very best quality of the American culture ... when you see someone who needs help, you help them," said Col. Joseph Bassani, 2CAB commander.