In the early morning of May 15, the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie conducted an at-sea medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) by dispatching a helicopter to an Army logistics support vessel where a sergeant needed medical assistance.
The collective effort earned six sailors and one soldier an Army Achievement Medal, according to a Navy release.
The medals were presented May 18 on Lake Erie’s flight deck by Capt. Darren McPherson, Lake Erie’s commanding officer, and Army Col. Dennis H. Levesque, chief of staff, 8th Theater Sustainment Command.
“It was a joint effort,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Benjamin Lariviere of Standish, Maine. “Between the LSV crew and our crew, we were all in.”
The Navy does not typically work alongside the Army while out to sea.
“It felt good to be recognized for something that doesn’t happen every day,” said Naval Air Crewman 2nd Class Giles Alberts, of Lena, Wisconsin. “Receiving a medal from another branch is something I didn’t expect and it’s a bit surreal.”
Lariviere echoed this sentiment. “It was a huge honor,” he said. “It’s not often you hear about sailors receiving Army awards.”
After being evaluated and treated for nearly 15 hours aboard the Lake Erie, the patient was flown to Tripler Army Medical Center in Oahu, Hawaii.
“Col. Levesque and I were both impressed by the young men and women who work at our respective commands,” said McPherson. “We truly are all brothers and sisters in arms.”
