CAMP STANLEY -- Brig. Gen. Stephen E. Farmen, commanding general for 19th Expeditionary Support Command, awarded Mr. Kwak, Myong-chin and Mr. Yi, Won-chik, both Korean Service Corps employees, the Superior Civilian Service Award for saving the life of Pfc. Kimberly Garland, 46th Transportation Company, Sept. 10 at 15th KSC, Headquarters.
More than 100 fellow KSC employees and Soldiers stood proudly side-by-side as they listened to Farmen tell the story of Kwak's and Yi's heroic and selfless acts they demonstrated on the morning of June 11.
It was a typical work day until Yi found Garland lying on the floor unconscious. Yi quickly ran into the maintenance office and directed someone to call 911.
Kwak heard the commotion and ran to assist Yi.
By utilizing their skills they had learned in the Combat Life-Savers course, they assessed that Garland had a pulse but was not breathing.
Kwak noticed that a piece of gum had been lodged between her teeth. He immediately cleared the obstruction and made sure that her airway was clear.
Without hesitation, Kwak and Yi began performing buddy-team cardiopulmonary resuscitation and continued until they successfully revived Garland.
She was evacuated to St. Mary's hospital where she underwent X-ray and CT scans. She was released later that day and has since made a full recovery.
"Mr. Kwak and Mr. Yi are the kind of professionals everyone wants in their organization," said Farmen. "They are super professionals; super technicians and they excel at their job."
Kwak and Yi were given an opportunity to speak as they thanked everyone for attending their ceremony. They both attributed their quick and decisive life-saving actions to the annual training at KSC.
"These combat life-saving skills were mastered from the KSC's annual trainings," said Kwak. "This is the result from the efforts of people who support the trainings.
"We at KSC take a lot of training every year," said Yi. "We train on Army's Warrior Training and tests.
"They coupled their technical skills with real life application of a critical life-saving battle skill," Farmen said.
According to Kwak, the 46th TC is a close-knit working group; between the Soldiers, KATUSAs and the KSC employees, the atmosphere is more like a family.
"I am pleasantly working under a family-like working environment, helping each other, said Kwak. "I am so proud to work for KSC and 46th TC, I always appreciate [having] good people around me."
Garland said she remembers that day all too well. Losing consciousness is one feeling she would not want anyone to experience but on that particular day she was fortunate that Yi and Kwak were there at the right place at the right time.
[They were] a god-send, they were right there and they didn't waste any time, said Garland.
"I can't be grateful enough for these two gentlemen, thank you Mr. Yi and Mr. Kwak," Garland said in her speech.
"It is my distinct honor and privilege to recognize the outstanding achievements of these two heroes by pinning their awards on them here in front of their family, fellow 15th KSC company members and other honored guests," said Farmen.
Founded on July 26, 1950 as the Civilian Transportation Corps, the KSC was formed in response to an urgent request for manpower from Gen. Walton Walker, then the commanding general, Eighth United States Army.
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