MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- An award ceremony for a Marine who saved a UPS driver’s life is scheduled for Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. at MCAS Miramar.
Staff Sergeant Hai Vuong, an imagery analyst with 3rd MAW, will receive the award from UPS for his heroic actions on the evening of Nov. 13, 2017.
Vuong witnessed a semitrailer clip another semitrailer while traveling on Interstate 15 between Nipton and Barstow, California. Vuong safely removed the driver from the wreckage and waited for medical services to arrive.
"I immediately put on my emergency lights and got out of the truck. I ran back to the crash site with my brother in-law," said Vuong.
Vuong and his brother-in-law, Simon Almeida, kicked out the windshield of the truck and turned off the engine because they saw fuel and other fluids flowing from the vehicle.
"Marine Corps training did come in handy in this situation," said Vuong. "I remembered my training to be calm, cool and collected so others around me would not go into a frenzy. I had to ensure that when I extracted the driver from the truck’s cabin to be careful and not cause additional bodily harm."
Vuong said he is honored that UPS is recognizing him and says he is glad the driver is alright. He added that he made the decision to stop because it was how he was raised and trained as a Marine.
"We help those who are in need of assistance and cannot help themselves," Vuong added. "Be careful and slow down, nothing is worth rushing over especially when you’re dealing with someone’s safety."
For media interested in attending the event, please send RSVPs to miramarmedia@usmc.mil by 9 a.m., Jan. 26.
-USMC-