About a month ago, Staff Sgt. Dustin Gill’s life changed forever. His day started off as planned; him and his wife Cynthia packed their luggage and hit the road for their honeymoon cruise. It was a predictable drive on Interstate 26, until the couple hit dead stop traffic.
“I saw a motorcycle laid out and a body on the highway,” said Gill. “I ran across a couple of lanes of traffic to check the guy out.”
The man laid on the side of the road bleeding and still. His left leg was completely severed from the knee down. Gill immediately applied pressure to the man’s leg and asked a fellow bystander, who was also at the scene for his belt. Gill then directed Cynthia to grab a tire iron to make an improvised tourniquet.
“I used the bar to twist the belt as tight as I could to stop the bleeding,” Gill said. “I had my wife grab a blanket out of the car so I could cover him up- so he didn’t see his amputated leg and go into shock.”
Gill directed onlookers to call 911, get him a pen and notepad, and clear traffic to allow for helicopter landing.
“We kept him talking as much as possible to ensure he maintained consciousness and to give as much information as we could about him to the EMTs,” said Gill.
When EMTs arrived, Gill assisted them in applying a proper tourniquet, passed along the man’s information, and stepped away as the man was flown out by helicopter.
The man Gill saved is George Wingert, an 80-year-old Florida resident and Vietnam War Army veteran.
“If Dustin wasn’t there for me, I wouldn’t be here now,” Wingert said. “He was meant to be there. He’s a part of my life now.”
Gill learned to provide medical aid during Marine Corps training he received leading up to his two deployments in Afghanistan. Gill served as a machine gunner in a security platoon in 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, during his second tour in Afghanistan.
“I’m grateful for the training because it obviously had an impact,” said Gill. “Going down to my honeymoon, I didn’t think anything like that was going to happen, but I’m glad I knew how to react.”
Since the incident, Dustin and Cynthia Gill have been keeping close contact with George.
“Dustin and his wife came down Saturday, and they spent several hours here,” Wingert said. “They’re phenomenal.”
Daniel Wingert, George’s Grandson, said Dustin and Cynthia made the difference in saving George’s life. “I want to commend him for the job well done,” said Daniel. “I’ve always had great respect for the Marines and the job that they do. It just shows how people can come together and be there when needed to help.”
According to Gill, any Marine with the same training would have helped in the situation. “It was an unfortunate circumstance that day, but I’m glad I was there when I was. I wish George a speedy recovery.”
STORY ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED HERE >>
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This is proof that the Marine Corps creates a Band of Brothers unlike no other! Semper Fi!
This is the Absolute reason why I became a USMC MARINE and it’s MARINE’S LIKE this gentleman that we do what we do and as a fellow USMC MARINE CORPS COMRADES would say “NOT ON OUR WATCH,” will anyone be harmed by any means and we will defend with our lives TIL THE ABSOLUTE End!
Great job Staff Sargent. Now please get back into “proper uniform” and put on a white T shirt. Semper Fi FWW 1860619-0351
FIRST THING NOTICED ALSO… GREAT JOB MARINE…
Ditto for sure.
Floyd you are as near to HEN HOUSE MANURE AS ONE CAN GET. REALLY!
Well done! As able as a Corpsman! Chris Barker, HM2, 1965-68.
Very Well Done!! Peter De Beers HM3 USN Hospital Corps , FMF, Viet Nam, 1966-1968
Outstanding Marine! Semper Fi! Paul Annetts-1961-1967, 1980-Cuban Missile Crisis & Vietnam-U.S. Marine
That is what we Marines are trained to do SEMPER FI
Outstanding Staff Sgt ! You are a blessing to George, and his family, and a perfect example of a United States Marine. Sgt G Morton, Vietnam Vet and 8th Eng, Camp Lej. N. C. Semper Fi
In true Marine Corps spirit! “Semper Fi” brother.
Combat med training is a ugly job So glad he was there to save a life Semper Fi USMC 64/68
Excellent work this is what Marines do. SEMPER FI. Mike Pietras, USMC (once a Marine always a Marine) not on active duty
SEMPER FI.
Semper Fi way to go SGT Klein 1969-1976
OOH-RAH!!!
You make us all extremely proud, SSgt Gill! And, congratulations to you and your new bride, Cynthia, on your marriage. Best wishes for a long and happy life together.
Awesome Job Marine Thnak you for saving a brothers life Semper FI Brother
A true marine and first responder. You went into action right away and took control of the scene. It’s sad that all the people that were in vehicles ahead of you and not one of those people got out of their car to help this guy. God bless the Marine corp. Maybe everyone should go thru Marine corps training in the hopes of coming out with a conscious and dignity – an education they will never forget. Semper FI
Thank you pat you said it all! Ssgt thank you from all of us! You prove what one motivated marine will do, no second thoughts just action. Ooh rah!
OOHRAH!!! 75-79 CPL Doom E 2/12 2/9 ” Hell’ in a Helment Hell of a job Marine!