Andrews Airman is Grateful Nation Award nominee

Published June 2, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. Steve Lewis
459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- A Security Forces Airmen from the 459th Air Refueling Wing here is the Air Force Reserve Command nominee for the 2013 Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs Grateful Nation Award.

Staff Sgt. Samuel Lerman is being recognized for life saving skills following a rocket attack at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan.

On Sept. 10, 2011, the Bethesda, Md., native, was assigned to a quick reaction force when he heard rockets scream past overhead followed by several explosions. The explosions knocked out electricity to his sector and transformed his post into smoky, pitch-black chaos. Without hesitating, he leapt for his gear, slid a bullet into the chamber of his M-4 Carbine and ran toward the threat.

The rockets severely damaged a check point facility and killed two Afghan contractors and severely wounded several others. The contractors had been assisting U.S. servicemembers with a security detail at the air field.

Lerman and his fellow security forces Airmen assisted three contractors who were suffering from shrapnel wounds and screaming for their lives.

Within minutes, the team formed a battlefield triage, placing emphasis on the most critically wounded individuals. Simultaneously shifting between the casualties, Lerman applied his self-aid and buddy care training to control bleeding and keep the Afghan contractors alive until they could be transported to the base hospital.

With his first aid kit in hand, Lerman turned his attention to an Afghan with stomach and abdominal wounds. He was losing blood and slipping in and out of consciousness. Lerman dressed the wounds and did what he could to stop the bleeding.

"Safiullah was becoming less responsive with every second and his pulse was difficult to feel," he said. "We had to move him to the hospital soon."

Since ambulances and medical personnel had already arrived to pick up other casualties from the attack, Lerman had no option but to recruit additional Airmen and find a truck to transport Safiullah to the hospital themselves.

Speeding across the base, Lerman and his team made their way to the hospital with Safiullah. Lerman worked desperately to keep him conscious while in the bed of truck, but with each passing minute his efforts were met with difficulty.

"At one point Safiullah stopped moving. I quickly realized that he wasn't breathing any longer and his pulse was gone," said Lerman. "His chest was rock hard from being compressed with blood. We all thought he was going to die."

Safiullah regained consciousness after resuscitation. Lerman then took the opportunity to keep him alert by talking to him, asking his name and whether he was married. He did anything to keep Safiullah awake and alive. The group finally arrived at the hospital where Lerman explained Safiullah's injuries and treatment to the surgeons.

All three Afghanis survived.

Just before Lerman's six-month tour ended, he visited the Seirra One checkpoint where the deadly rocket attack occurred. Much to his surprise, Safiullah was there, on his feet working again. As a token of appreciation, Safiullah gave Lerman an Afghan scarf.

"He thanked me over and over again," said Lerman. "Safiullah remembered looking up at me from the back of the pickup truck and me screaming at him over and over again to stay awake."

The Grateful Nation Award, established in 2003, is presented annually to servicemembers recognized for having distinguished themselves through superior conduct in the War on Terrorism. Honorees are chosen by their respective service and come from the enlisted, noncommissioned officer and junior officer ranks. Honorees represent each of the five branches of the U.S. military and the U.S. Special Operations Command.

For more on the award, visit the Grateful Nation website at http://www.jinsa.org/.

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