MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- An admirable Marine was recognized and awarded for saving the life of a fellow devil dog while on a deployment to Korea during Exercise Foal Eagle, in February.
Lance Cpl. Allen G. Elisara, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron postal clerk and native of
Honolulu, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal at the Southside Post Office, July 6.
“It gave me pleasure just being able to witness it (the award ceremony),” explained Staff Sgt. William A. Cooper, H&HS custodian of postal effect and native of Hemmingway, S.C. “What impressed me the most was the content of his award and what he was achieving the actual award for. In most cases, we receive awards for something dealing with the job. This stepped outside of the box. This award dealt with, not just a Marine reacting, but a person reacting in an adverse situation. He reacted where others might have just said, ‘hey, I’m just going to wait and see if anybody else does something.’”
The day started off with the Marines eating breakfast at the chow hall. Because the deployment was coming to an end, the chow hall was serving steak to celebrate. Coincidentally, on this occasion Elisara sat next to his friend Lance Cpl. Todhunter Demesyeux, Combat Logistics Company 36 armorer and a native of Brooklyn, N.Y.,
“The thing that got to me the most was that we never ate chow together,” added Elisara. “It just happened to be that day.”
After eating a piece of steak, Demesyeux didn’t chew it up all the way and got a huge chunk of it caught in the back of his throat. Demesyeux spilt his juice and pointed to his mouth, indicating that he was in trouble and in serious need of aid.
“It all happened so fast. I kind of freaked out and saw my life flash before my eyes,” explained Demesyeux. “I was just thinking - am I going to die in Korea, far away from home?”
Without hesitating or waiting for the guy next to him to take action, Elisara immediately stood up and followed procedures and asked Demesyeux if he was okay.
“I was just thinking about standing up and yelling for medical,” reflected Elisara. “I just did the best I could and what most motivated service members would have done in that situation.”
Once Elisara realized the situation was serious and Demesyeux wasn’t responding to his questions, Elisara proceeded to stand the victim up, and performed the Heimlich Maneuver. The life saving technique helped him expel the piece of meat caught in his throat and brought calmness to the situation.
“I was having flash backs from boot camp, when we were doing the health classes,” said Elisara. “That’s basically what was going on through my mind at the time.”
“If he didn’t help me, I would have probably choked,” added Demesyeux.
However, Elisara feels he was just doing his duty as a Marine, utilizing his skills that he learned in boot camp, which ultimately saved Demesyeux’s life. To Elisara, saving his friend’s life was just another part of his job description as a Marine.
“I’d hate to say it but it’s just like any other award or medal that you can just pin on your chest,” Elisara said humbly. “Helping that Marine out was just more than enough. I don’t think an award was necessary, I just did what any other service member would have done at the time.”
“We joke about it now, but he really did save my life,” said Demesyeux. “I am very thankful that he saved me. I might not be here if he didn’t. I am happy for him. Besides the fact that he is a good friend, he works really hard and deserves it.”