FORT RILEY, Kansas -- A Soldier with the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, received the Army Commendation Medal June 30 for saving a child's life.
"We are here to recognize Sgt. Aaron Duncan for being that one trooper out of 525 squadron members to do something great that was seen by the community," said Lt. Col. David Defelice Jr., commander, 1st Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt., 1st ABCT, 1st Inf. Div.
The Army Commendation Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces who distinguishes himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service, according to the Army's human resources website.
Defelice said Duncan is an example of doing something right when no one is looking and that the American public expects Soldiers to do what is right for the community at all times. Duncan's actions, the commander said, exemplify this belief.
"I didn't do this for recognition," Duncan said. "I did what the Army trained me to do, which is provide medical care to people in need."
Duncan, a healthcare specialist with 1st Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt., was attending his son's baseball game June 19 at the North Park baseball field in Junction City when he noticed Ricky Peterson sluggishly walking back to the dugout after striking out.
"I wasn't sure if he was just upset because he struck out or because he was suffering from a medical problem," Duncan said.
Duncan said he walked over to talk to the Peterson. That's when he noticed the child was gasping for air.
"I immediately identified myself as an Army Medic and began evaluating his condition," Duncan said.
Duncan quickly moved the child to a shaded area and asked his parents' permission to remove his clothes in order to get his core temperature down.
He then asked the parents and the coach to get ice from the concession stand so I could cool his body temperature.
Duncan said he had treated many adults for heat exhaustion, but this was the first time treating a child for it.
"The hardest thing was keeping everyone calm so I could treat him," Duncan said. "I asked his parents to call 911."
Duncan said the child went in and out of consciousness while he was treating him, but he continued treatment until the emergency medical services personnel arrived on scene.
"Sgt. Duncan's quick actions saved my son's life," said Richard Peterson, a security coordinator with the Fort Riley Network Enterprise Center. "He is my hero."
Duncan said he just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
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