{"id":26671,"date":"2019-09-10T15:44:20","date_gmt":"2019-09-10T15:44:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/09\/10\/marine-intelligence-officer-awarded-medal-for-rescuing-unconscious-man-from-burning-vehicle\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:44:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:44:34","slug":"marine-intelligence-officer-awarded-medal-for-rescuing-unconscious-man-from-burning-vehicle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2019\/09\/10\/marine-intelligence-officer-awarded-medal-for-rescuing-unconscious-man-from-burning-vehicle\/","title":{"rendered":"Marine intelligence officer awarded medal for rescuing unconscious man from burning vehicle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A Marine intelligence officer was awarded the Navy\u2019s highest award for noncombat valor<\/a> in early September for rescuing an unconscious man trapped in a burning vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Capt. Thomas E. Haluska was presented with the Navy and Marine Corps Medal <\/a>from Brig. Gen. Jay Bargeron, the commander of Marine Corps University, during a ceremony at the Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Haluska, then a second lieutenant assigned to the Signals Intelligence Officer Course at Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center in Dam Neck, Virginia, was \u201cinstrumental\u201d in saving the life of a man trapped in a burning car, according to an award citation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The award citation was provided to Marine Corps Times from the the Marine Corps upon request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On March 31, 2016, Haluska rushed toward a burning truck near the Topgolf entertainment venue in Virginia Beach, Virginia, \u201cwithout hesitation,” an award citation detailed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trapped inside the truck was a man unconscious from carbon monoxide poisoning. Haluska tried to gain entry to the vehicle with his fists and then a weapon as white smoke turned to black and \u201cfluid began to pool underneath the vehicle,” the citation reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He assisted two others in finally breaking the window and entering the vehicle. He helped carry the man to safety and continued to monitor him as rescue crews arrived on scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaluska was instrumental in assisting an individual who likely would have perished if not for his life saving actions,\u201d the citation reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Haluska is an 0206 signals intelligence officer and is currently attending the Expeditionary Warfare School aboard Quantico, Virginia, according to Lt. Sam Stephenson, a Marine spokesman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Expeditionary Warfare School is a 41-week course that trains company grade officers in warfighting and Marine air-ground task force operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is a relatively rare award given for acts of heroism outside of conflict with enemy forces. The individual must have performed a lifesaving act \u201cat the risk of one\u2019s own life,\u201d according to the Navy and Marine Corps awards manual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The award is often awarded for heroic life-saving feats, but the awards manual notes that it is not a lifesaving medal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs the senior peacetime award for heroism, this award hinges on the actual level of personal \u201clife threatening\u201d risk experienced by the awardee,\u201d the award manual reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\t