Navy Corpsman Honored for Saving Marine from Heat Stroke

A Navy Achievement Medal was given to Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer 1st Class Billy Bui of the 4th Marine Division for saving a Marine with a very bad case of heat stroke at Camp Talega on Camp Pendleton, California. 

During a land navigation practice during the day in August 2024, Bui answered an emergency distress call and found a Marine who wasn't responding and was in danger of losing his airway. Quickly, he told another Marine to put in a nasal pharyngeal airway to keep the Marine's mouth open while he got ready to leave. As they moved him down the hill on a stretcher, Bui put ice packs on him to bring down his dangerously high body temperature, which was later measured at 106 degrees Fahrenheit.

During the fast ride back to base in the Humvee, Bui continued to save lives by telling the Marine, "Don't go into the light," to stay awake. Because he responded quickly and knew a lot about medicine, the Marine got critical care before he could get more advanced care. 

The Marine Corps Reserve gave Bui the Navy Achievement Medal for his brave actions in a life-threatening scenario. The medal was given to him for his quick thinking and decisive actions.

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