- December 26, 2024
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A U.S. Marine from Ormond Beach was awarded on Oct. 18, for his heroic actions in rescuing two individuals from an overturned vehicle.
Lance Cpl. Blake Gonter received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in front of his family and fellow Marines. Col. Robert E. Shuford, assistant chief of staff of Communication Strategy and Operations, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, presented the medal to Gonter, recognizing the integral role he played in pulling two survivors – one of which was a fellow Marine – from an overturned vehicle.
On April 21, Gonter was driving from Marine Corps Base Hawaii back to Camp H. M. Smith when he encountered a trail of debris leading to a flipped car along the H3 highway, a poorly lit road.
“I’m driving and I start to see these pieces of metal in the road,” Gonter said. “Then all of a sudden, in the middle of the street there's just a car upside down.”
Although initially startled, Gonter quickly assessed the situation and stopped to assist, joining other bystanders who had already pulled over after witnessing the crash.
“I don’t know what's going on, smoke is coming out of it, so I slam on my brakes,” Gonter said. “My first instinct was to run over and ask what was going on.”
Using his flashlight to alert oncoming traffic, Gonter helped slow down vehicles in the low-visibility area to prevent additional accidents. After securing the scene, he immediately began providing first aid, working with three other bystanders to free the vehicle’s occupants.
“I didn't think anything of it,” he said. "This wasn't a hero moment; this was an expectation for me.”
Gonter, a combat videographer with MARFORPAC, acknowledged his training before enlisting and while in the Marine Corps. Being a lifeguard, learning CPR before joining, and his military training in Tactical Combat Casualty Care prepared him to take initiative in this stressful situation and to put the well-being of others before his own.
“I was tired, I wanted to get home, but I was patient, and I thought about somebody other than myself and that patience in the end saved people's lives,” Gonter said.
