Maine Army Guardsmen Receives Award for Saving Child's Life

AUGUSTA, ME (03/04/2016)(readMedia)-- Brig. Gen. Doug Farnham, The Adjutant General for the Maine National Guard, is pleased to announce an award ceremony to recognize Sgt. 1st Class Joshua D. Way for his actions in saving a child's life, this Sunday, March 6th, at 4 p.m. at the Norway Armory.

On October 11, 2015, members from a local church were attending financial education training at the Norway Armory when a young boy became unresponsive and stopped breathing. Way quickly responded to the commotion and performed CPR on the child while Way's wife dialed 9-1-1. Way was able to bring the boy back to consciousness and kept everyone calm until an ambulance would arrive approximately 10 minutes later.

"Sgt. 1st Class Way personifies the values of the Maine National Guard," said Brig. Gen. Doug Farnham, the Adjutant General for the Maine National Guard. "As a man of strong conviction and capability, Sgt. 1st Class Way responded quickly to an unknown situation, using his training to save a child's life and keep by-standers calm. These actions exemplify the National Guard mantra of 'always ready, always there'."

Way will be awarded the Meritorious Service Medal during the ceremony. Members of the unit, along with the rescued child and his family will be in attendance.

The meritorious service medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguished themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969.

Media interested in covering the event should contact Maj. Norman Stickney at (207) 430-5759, or email ng.me.mearng.list.public-affairs@mail.mil by 4p.m., Saturday, March 5, 2016. Media interested in attending should arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. Ceremony begins at 4 p.m.

Press Kit:

Link to high resolution image of the meritorious service medal image: http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/ggallery/hires/AFG-070807-015.jpg