WASHINGTON -- A nurse risked her own life to provide medical attention to victims of a massive train derailment, said Secretary of the Army Mark T. Esper.
Esper spoke at the 2018 Secretary of the Army Awards Ceremony in the Pentagon Friday.
Tanya C. Porter, a clinical staff nurse at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington, was on her way home after a 12-hour night shift, Dec. 18, 2017, Esper related.
Then, about 50 meters in front of her, she witnessed the Amtrak Cascades Train 501 derailment, he said. She didn't hesitate to rush to the scene, or to provide medical attention to the casualties, "even as a 10-ton railcar dangled precipitously above her.
"Her presence of mind and willingness to take action undoubtedly was an instance of providence that benefited many others," Esper concluded, presenting her with the Secretary of the Army Award for Valor.
The award states in part: "Porter's quick actions, clear-eyed focus, and lifesaving care greatly contributed to reducing the number of fatalities that day."
The secretary said Porter exemplifies the selfless service and personal courage that all Soldiers and Army civilians aspire to.
OTHER AWARDEES
Esper also recognized eight other Army civilians "who excelled at character, commitment, competence and courage, the hallmark of true Army professionals."
Those civilian awardees, Esper said, championed equal opportunity in their organizations. They increased outreach and advocacy with small businesses. They protected the networks. They improved the quality of Army publications and also decreased the time it takes to deliver those products to warfighters.
"Their achievements and contributions are noteworthy for their impact on the total force," he said. "These awards are not conferred lightly."
Today, the Army faces complex challenges as it remains engaged in the Middle East, reassures allies and deters adversaries in Europe and is prepared for anything that might happen in Asia, he said.
"All of this amidst the accelerating pace of technological change, which create both challenges and opportunities for the Army," Esper said. "Dedicated professionals like the ones being recognized here today will help us through all of this. They worked diligently and came up with creative solutions to the most complex problems. They set a high bar for the rest of us to emulate."
The secretary also recognized family and friends who helped the awardees achieve what they did. The other eight awardees received nine awards from the secretary:
-- The Diversity and Leadership Award (Equal Opportunity Leader) recipient: Staff Sgt. Whitney M. Rehkop, equal opportunity leader, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, U.S. Army Medical Command, Fort Campbell, Kentucky
-- The Diversity and Leadership Award (Equal Employment Opportunity Professional) recipient: Paulette Y. Reese, director, Equal Employment Opportunity, U.S. Army Forces Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
-- The Secretary of the Army Award for Small Business recipient: Jerome K. Maultsby, assistant director, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, U.S. Army Medical Command, Fort Detrick, Maryland
-- The Secretary of the Army Award for Editor of the Year (Departmental) recipient: Katherine E. Brennan, deputy chief, Law Enforcement Branch, Office of the Provost Marshal General, Headquarters, Department of the Army, Pentagon
-- The Diversity and Leadership Award (Equal Opportunity Advisor) recipient: Sgt. 1st Class Erron D. Alor, equal opportunity advisor, Tripler Army Medical Center, U.S. Army Medical Command, U.S. Army Regional Health Command -- Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii
-- The Secretary of the Army Award for Editor of the Year (Command) recipient: Jonathan W. Pierce, supervisory editor, Logistics Support Activity, Global Support Center, PS Magazine Division, U.S. Army Materiel Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama
-- The Secretary of the Army Award for Publications Improvements (Command) recipient: Jonathan W. Pierce
-- The Secretary of the Army Award for Publications Improvements (Departmental) recipient: Dagmar Gdula, writer-editor, Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army, U.S. Army Headquarters Services, Army Publishing Directorate, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
-- The Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service recipient: Terry L. Watson, acting program executive officer and deputy program executive officer, Enterprise Information Systems, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology), Pentagon
(Follow David Vergun on Twitter: @vergunARNEWS)
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