FV Navy sailor named Sailor of the Year
The United Service Organizations (USO) each year honors the heroism of junior-enlisted service members with the “Service Member of the Year” awards.
Service members from each branch of the military are nominated by their command leadership for performing acts of valor that go above and beyond the call of duty.
Among those honored is Fountain Valley resident Johnharley S. Delacruz, selected as Sailor of the Year.
“These men and women have brought honor to their branch of service and to the country. They exemplified bravery in the face of danger and placed service above self,” said USO president and CEO, J.D. Crouch II.
Hospital Corpsman Second Class Petty Officer Delacruz serves with the U.S. Navy’s Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, MEF Camp Pendleton.
Delacruz delivered lifesaving intervention after an Amphibious Assault Vehicle sank to the bottom of the ocean during training operations. He also executed an in-flight casualty evacuation independently, protecting the patient’s airway, monitoring vital signs, obtaining intravenous access and using his own body heat to impede hypothermia while in-flight. His actions enabled his patient to survive and recover, the USO said in a press release.
“Putting the mission first and doing the right thing embody the USO’s core values. We congratulate the honorees for their outstanding contributions,” Crouch said.
To learn more, visit uso.org/stories.
