WAUKEGAN, IL, UNITED STATES
02.06.2024
Story by Sgt. Dalton Payne
WAUKEGAN, Illinois – Two Marine recruiters respond to help a motorcyclist after the rider was struck by a vehicle on September 6th, 2023. Staff Sgt. Amilcar Marroquinsalinas and Staff Sgt. Eric Kinglewis, Marine Corps recruiters with Marine Corps Recruiting Station Chicago, had just arrived at their recruiting office when a loud noise rang out. Without hesitation, the Marines went to investigate the source of the sound.
Debris was scattered across the road from the curb to curb. The motorcycle was mangled on the side of the road. The driver of the car that struck the motorcyclist was visibly distraught and the rider of the motorcycle was laid out on the road after behind tossed from the motorcycle. A small crowd of onlookers gathered but no one was doing helping.
“Upon seeing the crowd gather around the incident and no actions being taken beside(s) people recording, I felt like I knew what to do and should be on scene to help. Looking at Staff Sgt. Salinas, he was quick with driving action and getting me moving to help with first aid.” Said Kinglewis. Upon arriving at the scene, Salinas directed Kinglewis to call 911 and retrieve the first aid kit from their office. When Kinglewis returned, they both began assessing the injuries sustained by the motorcyclist. The Marines identified a severe laceration on the rider’s left arm and Kinglewis applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Salinas identified an injury to the motorcycle operator’s leg; He quickly applied pressure to the wound and wrapped it with a clean bandage.
Sgt. Maj. Nathaniel Eirich, Recruiting Station Chicago’s Sergeant Major, had this to say regarding the Marines’ actions: “Staff Sgt. Kinglewis and Staff Sgt. Marroquinsalinas performed well under stress and helped provide the necessary first aid in order to save a life. As Marines, we are trained to help people in need, no matter the time, place, or circumstance, and that is exactly what these Marines did. The team is very proud of their actions, and they are consistent with upholding our core values as Marines.” The Commanding Officer of Recruiting Station Chicago, Major Koonce said, “Our Marines represent the Marine Corps in our communities, and their ethos as Marines is ever present. Staff Sgt. Marroquinsalinas and Staff. Sgt. Kinglewis upheld the Marine Corps ethos and values and did what Marines do. We are extremely proud of them.”
Once the police arrived on the scene, they applied another tourniquet to the injured leg to stop that bleeding. Shortly thereafter, the paramedics arrived on the scene to provide the rider with further lifesaving care and to transport to the nearest medical facility. Kinglewis reflected on his key takeaway from the incident, “Looking back on the situation, I was able to put my training to good use, keep my cool, and help a young man make it home.”
The Marines’ actions not only exemplified their branch’s core values of honor, courage, and commitment; they also assisted in saving the life of a local citizen. Even away from the fleet Marine Forces and what most people would typically associate with the usual Marine life, Marines will rise to the occasion anywhere, in any situation. Kinglewis and Marroquinsalinas exemplified this best through their actions that day.
This Story was first published on DVIDS
