BOSTON, Mass. -- Many heroes were honored this past Saturday during Veteran's Day, but at Boston College a local hero was recognized as he was awarded the ROTC Medal of Heroism during the college's football matchup against North Carolina State.
Maj. Gen. Chris Hughes, commander of U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox, presented the medal to Cadet Mark Kindschuh during the game for his actions to help an injured person during the London terror attack June 3.
Kindschuh, a Boston College junior, said he never would have guessed he would be put into such a situation.
"I was in a study abroad course with six or seven other students from Boston College. It was supposed to be five weeks and we were only there for five or six days when we went to a pub for a dinner of fish and chips. I heard gunfire outside and immediately knew that it was gunfire," he said. "A crowd of 30 or 40 people stormed in from the streets to get to safety. One guy stumbled in and tumbled over and fell. I thought that he had been shot.
"It took a second to register what was happening, when I looked up and saw about 80 people, with a lot of them under tables hiding and not doing anything because they were afraid," he added. "There was only one person trying to help this guy. There's a pool of blood next to his head -- he's clearly badly injured. I realized that if I didn't do anything, no one was going to, so I ran over there to provide first aid with another individual."
Kindschuh was nominated for the medal by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Congressman Dan Donovan (R-NY). According to a press release, Schumer heard about Kindschuh's actions, and thought the cadet deserved to be recognized.
"On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to congratulate ROTC Cadet Mark Kindschuh for being awarded the ROTC Medal of Heroism," said Schumer. "During the tragic London attack, ROTC Cadet Mark Kindschuh showcased immense heroism by running towards the danger, not away from it, to save the life of a complete stranger, and because of his actions, that man is alive today. I am proud to have recommended ROTC Cadet Mark Kindschuh for this award and look forward to his future successes in the military."
Donovan echoed Schumer's sentiments.
"This young man's heroics made his city and country proud. Mark's quick and decisive action saved a stranger's life, and it's that kind of selfless courage that makes our armed forces the greatest in the world. I look forward to following what will surely be a bright and impactful career in military service for Mark," said Donovan.
Kindschuh, who hopes to commission into active duty as a military intelligence officer, said he didn't act to be recognized, but instead because of the values instilled in him as an ROTC cadet and future officer.
"I think if I had just been a normal person and came to BC, joined a bunch of clubs but didn't join ROTC, I don't think I would have had the wherewithal or values to do what I did," he said. "I think when you put on any uniform for the services, there is an inherent set of values underlying it. I think once you have that in the back of your head and it becomes a part of your character, if you are in a situation like that and don't do anything, you are contradicting those values. It's like when you say the Soldier's Creed, it can just be words, but if you take action on it, that's when you're really putting it to its purpose."
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