Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Price was driving home from Naval Health Clinic Charleston here, where he works as a hospital corpsman, when he saw a man on a nearby bike trail thrown violently from his bike.
"Traffic was moving slowly and I saw him out of the corner of my eye," Price said. "He had somehow lost control of his bike and flipped forward. My first thought was, 'Wow, that had to really hurt; he landed pretty hard.' I was just worried he might have sustained a head injury."
Price parked his car and hurried to assess the situation. The cyclist had landed on his shoulder, and the area around his collarbone was swollen. He used an extra T-shirt to create an improvised sling, immobilizing the biker's arm to prevent further injury and then drove the biker to the emergency room and waited with him until he was seen by hospital staff.
Price said his training and experience as a corpsman helped him remain calm and confident while taking action.
"I could identify the injury, and I knew the right measures to take," Price said. "I definitely wouldn't have known what to do if I had not been a corpsman."
Selfless Service
NHCC’s noncommissioned officer in charge, Navy Command Master Chief Petty Officer Robert Miley, said he wasn't surprised to hear of Price's actions.
"It is part of his character to stop and help somebody," he said. "He's an exemplary sailor who goes above and beyond the call of duty to assist others."
Price's actions earned him the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
"It's humbling," Price said after receiving the award. "[Helping injured people] is something we do on a day-to-day basis. It's something we, as corpsmen, don't think is a big deal, but it's good to know we're appreciated."
Navy Capt. Elizabeth Maley, the clinic commander, commended Price for his efforts.
"There were a lot of cars on the road, and plenty of people had the opportunity to stop to help someone who was hurt. However, it one of our corpsmen who stepped up," she said. "What Hospitalman 2nd Class Price did for that biker should be a reminder to us all that one act of kindness, no matter how big or small, can make an unbelievable difference in someone's life."
Price said he hopes his story encourages others to assist others when they can.
"We know when we should do the right thing," Price said. "Being selfless is more than part of the job."