Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Joe Dan "Doc" Worley
On September 17, 2004, while on patrol with Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, in Fallujah, Iraq, an IED exploded into a humvee killing a Marine and an Iraqi Interpreter. Not even 10 days prior, his former platoon had seven Marines killed in action when a vehicle borne IED drove into their patrol. The attrition from the blast was so severe that the platoon, known as Pale Rider Three, would be disbanded and the surviving Marines sent to other platoons in Fox Company.
Immediately reacting to the explosion, Doc Worley went into automatic pilot. No one needed to explain to this Corpsman the importance of his job after an enemy attack. Worley grabbed his aid bag and took off toward the thick smoke, preparing himself for the worst-case scenario of this close quarters explosion.
As Worley sprinted across a bridge, a secondary IED exploded only a few feet away from him, ripping off his left leg instantly. Experiencing mind-numbing pain throughout his entire body, Worley began to assess his own condition, something he had done countless times for others. He put himself through the life saving aid procedures as he had so many other times to others, when there were too many injured for one Corpsman to handle. Worley applied a tourniquet just above his own left knee, an extremely painful procedure that was vital in saving his own life.
Focusing on getting to his injured Marines who lay ahead of him, Worley refused to succumb to the overwhelming odds that were presented to him with little cover and in excruciating pain. As enemy AK-47 rounds impacted all around his position, he attempted to crawl forward toward the vehicle when again his movement was stopped, this time by the sharp twinge of five 7.62mm rounds tearing into his right leg.
What makes men like Doc Worley perform acts of uncommon valor is a steadfast dedication for the mission and undying selfless dedication to his comrades.
Having every reason to make his way to safety, Worley opted to continue his movement forward toward other wounded Marines to help them.
When his Marines were able to achieve fire superiority and control the battle space around the vehicle, and extract the injured, Worley continued to give first aid instruction in attempts to treat his buddies who were gravely wounded.
Doc Worley recently returned home to Paulding County, Georgia, after 19 months of surgeries and rehabilitation at Bethesda and Walter Reed Hospitals. Doc Worley is a passionate and articulate supporter of the mission today in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a founding member of Vets for Freedom and is currently medically retired from the Navy. For his brave actions, he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for Valor.
Read more about Doc Worley's story here on CBS News
Immediately reacting to the explosion, Doc Worley went into automatic pilot. No one needed to explain to this Corpsman the importance of his job after an enemy attack. Worley grabbed his aid bag and took off toward the thick smoke, preparing himself for the worst-case scenario of this close quarters explosion.
As Worley sprinted across a bridge, a secondary IED exploded only a few feet away from him, ripping off his left leg instantly. Experiencing mind-numbing pain throughout his entire body, Worley began to assess his own condition, something he had done countless times for others. He put himself through the life saving aid procedures as he had so many other times to others, when there were too many injured for one Corpsman to handle. Worley applied a tourniquet just above his own left knee, an extremely painful procedure that was vital in saving his own life.
Focusing on getting to his injured Marines who lay ahead of him, Worley refused to succumb to the overwhelming odds that were presented to him with little cover and in excruciating pain. As enemy AK-47 rounds impacted all around his position, he attempted to crawl forward toward the vehicle when again his movement was stopped, this time by the sharp twinge of five 7.62mm rounds tearing into his right leg.
What makes men like Doc Worley perform acts of uncommon valor is a steadfast dedication for the mission and undying selfless dedication to his comrades.
Having every reason to make his way to safety, Worley opted to continue his movement forward toward other wounded Marines to help them.
When his Marines were able to achieve fire superiority and control the battle space around the vehicle, and extract the injured, Worley continued to give first aid instruction in attempts to treat his buddies who were gravely wounded.
Doc Worley recently returned home to Paulding County, Georgia, after 19 months of surgeries and rehabilitation at Bethesda and Walter Reed Hospitals. Doc Worley is a passionate and articulate supporter of the mission today in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a founding member of Vets for Freedom and is currently medically retired from the Navy. For his brave actions, he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for Valor.
Read more about Doc Worley's story here on CBS News
