The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Specialist Elvis Romero Santamarie, United States Army, for exceptional heroism to save the life of another. Specialist Romero, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, rescued a fellow soldier who was unconscious in a burning vehicle following a traffic accident. Specialist Romero’s actions bring great credit upon him, 3-58 airfield operations battalion, 164th theater airfield operations group, forces command, and the united states army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
On 5 December 2016, Specialist Elvis Romero Santamarie risked his life in order to save a fellow Soldier who was unconscious in a burning vehicle following a traffic accident. While on his way to the 3-58 Airfield Operations Battalion area to conduct physical fitness training at approximately 0610 hours, Specialist Romero witnessed a traffic accident in front of his vehicle. The accident occurred at the entrance of Simmons Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, North Carolina and involved a HMMWV and a privately owned vehicle (POV). After witnessing a HMMWV collide with a POV 30 to 40 meters in front of him, Specialist Romero immediately pulled his vehicle over and rushed to the scene of the accident to assist. He first approached the HMMWV, opened the door, and ensured that the occupants were not injured. Once he confirmed the Soldiers were not seriously injured, he then ran to the severely damaged POV on the side of the road. At this time, Sergeant Rose arrived on the scene and together with Specialist Romero they opened the rear driver’s side door to ensure that there were no children or passengers in the back seat of the vehicle. Together, they managed to get the driver’s door open and quickly realized that the driver was unresponsive as they attempted to speak to him. Because the driver was unconscious, Specialist Romero decided to leave him in the vehicle in order to avoid risking further injuries; however, shortly thereafter, Specialist Romero and Sergeant Rose saw smoke coming from under the hood and the vehicle erupted into flames. Immediate action had to be taken since the car was on fire and the driver was unconscious. With complete disregard for their own personal safety, Specialist Romero and Sergeant Rose decided to get the victim out of the vehicle and to a safe place. Concerned that the car would explode, they immediately removed the driver from the vehicle. As Specialist Romero and Sergeant Rose moved the driver a safe distance away, the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. Specialist Romero provided first aid to the injured driver until emergency services arrived to the scene several minutes later. As the ambulance arrived, the victim regained consciousness. Although conscious, the injured Soldier was unable to answer Specialist Romero’s questions and was clearly in shock. As the emergency medical technicians arrived to the scene, Specialist Romero provided them with the details of the accident and what first aid he had rendered to the driver. After the driver of the POV was transported to the hospital, Specialist Romero returned to the HMMWV and again checked on the driver and TC of that vehicle. By this time, emergency personnel were on site and quickly took control of the scene of the accident. Without question, Specialist Romero demonstrated heroism in the face of grave risk to his own life and saved the life of a fellow Soldier on 5 December 2016. His selfless actions are in keeping with the finest military traditions and reflect great credit upon him, 3-58 Airfield Operations Battalion, 164th Theater Airfield Operations Group, Forces Command, and the United States Army.