ALCOAST 250/19 - JUL 2019 ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2019 ARMED SERVICES YMCA ANGELS OF THE BATTLEFIELD AWARD RECIPIENT

R 311312 JULY 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N06010//
ALCOAST 250/19
COMDTNOTE 6010
SUBJ: ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2019 ARMED SERVICES YMCA ANGELS OF THE BATTLEFIELD
AWARD RECIPIENT
1. I am pleased to announce Health Services Technician First Class Ryan F. Ransom
assigned to Coast Guard Cutter RELIANCE (WMEC-615), has been selected as the Coast
Guard recipient for the 13th annual Armed Services YMCA Angels of the Battlefield
(AOTB) Award. AOTB is an annual award that recognizes one enlisted medical professional
from each branch of the Armed Forces. The 2019 AOTB Awards Dinner will take place
29 October 2019 in Arlington, VA.
   a. HS1 Ransom is being recognized for acts occurring on February 6th 2019 when the
crew of Coast Guard Cutter RELIANCE (WMEC-615) responded to a MAYDAY radio call from motor
vessel CHEMTRANS NOVA approximately 80 nautical miles off the coast of Virginia. Two
crewmembers onboard CHEMTRANS NOVA were conducting a life boat inspection on an elevated
deck, when the boat suddenly deployed and crashed to the water below with both men inside.
The two crewmembers sustained both minor and major injuries, and were retrieved from the
water by the RELIANCE’s boat crew and returned to the cutter for medical attention and
evacuation. Upon receiving notification, HS1 Ransom assembled the stretcher bearers, assigned tasking,
and prepared Battle Dressing Stations (BDS) for the arrival of the two injured persons. HS1 Ransom
directed the patient transfer from the small boat to BDS where he conducted primary assessments
of both persons. One crewmember was found to have a minor laceration on his abdomen. His wound
was irrigated with sterile water and dressed with a trauma dressing. The second crewmember was
more critically injured. There was an obvious derangement of his right knee, his oxygen saturation
was below the acceptable range, and he appeared pale cool and clammy. HS1 Ransom ensured clothing was
sheared off, oxygen was administered, the injured leg was splinted, and that the patient was
allowed to orally hydrate. An aircrew from Elizabeth City, NC arrived on scene approximately
40 minutes after receiving the injured persons. The patient with the minor laceration was ambulatory
and was escorted to the flight deck for HELO hoisting and the critically injured patient was
transferred via stretcher to the flight deck by HS1 Ransom and LCDR Leuthold. Both patients would ultimately
recover from their injuries, due in large part to the initial action provided by HS1 Ransom.
   b. The following enlisted medical professionals were also nominated by their commands
for this award and can take pride in their significant accomplishments during 2019:

  HS3 Wendy Camacho   BASE Kodiak
  HS1 Matthew Cuevas   CGC CAMPBELL
  
2. All nominees are worthy of the recognition and will be nominated for
the DHS Lifesaving award sponsored by the DHS Chief Medical Officer. I applaud all the nominees
for their accomplishments and their commanding officers and supervisors for taking the time
to submit well-deserved nominations. I encourage all leaders to recognize their high performing
enlisted medical professionals by nominating them next year for the 2019 AOTB Awards.
This year’s awardees demonstrated outstanding professionalism in carrying out their duties.
Bravo Zulu for a job very well done.
3. POC: HSCM Naomi Dennis COMDT (DCMS-81), 202-475-5174, Email:Naomi.Dennis@uscg.mil
or CWO2 Luis Muniz COMDT (CG-1121), 202-475-5173, Email: Luis.A.Muniz@uscg.mil.
4. CDR Jeremy R. Denning, Acting Director of Health, Safety, and Work-Life, sends.
5. Internet release authorized.