[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 11651-11652]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO HOSPITAL CORPSMAN SECOND CLASS JACOB EMMOTT

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to an exceptional U.S. 
Sailor, HM2 Jacob Emmott, known as ``Doc Emmott'' to the marines with 
whom he serves. ``Doc'' was awarded the Silver Star medal on July 14, 
2011, for his extraordinary bravery and service.
  Petty Officer Emmott, a resident of Wakefield, RI, served as a 
platoon corpsman with Company C, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines in Helmand 
Province, Afghanistan. On April 20, 2010, Petty Officer Emmott was on 
patrol with his fellow marines when they began receiving heavy fire 
from multiple enemy positions. One of the marines sustained multiple 
gunshot wounds and, with complete disregard for his own personal 
safety, Petty Officer Emmott rushed through enemy fire to aid the 
fallen marine. While tending to yet another fallen comrade, Petty 
Officer Emmott sustained a gunshot wound directly to his face, 
rendering him unconscious. After Petty Officer Emmott regained 
consciousness, he refused morphine in order to supervise the care of 
the other wounded marines. His courage and dedication to duty rallied 
the spirits of his squad mates as they were evacuated from the 
battlefield.
  The Silver Star Medal is the third-highest military decoration that 
can be awarded to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces for valor while 
engaged in an action against an enemy. Petty Officer Emmott is clearly 
deserving of the Silver Star medal for his actions to aid his fellow 
marines at his own personal risk.
  I join all Rhode Islanders in expressing deep appreciation and 
gratitude for Petty Officer Emmott's extraordinary commitment and 
service to our Nation. We also thank his family for their support and 
sacrifice. Congratulations and best wishes.
  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I rise today to commend Navy HM2 Jake 
Emmott of Wakefield, Rhode Island for his exceptional service to our 
country, which earned him one of our Nation's highest military awards 
for gallantry during combat. Last week, I had the honor of joining Jake 
and his family as he was presented with the Silver Star Medal for 
heroic acts that went above and beyond the call of duty.
  On April 20, 2010, Mr. Emmott was serving as platoon corpsman with 
Company C, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 
That day, Mr. Emmott's squad was on combat patrol when it came under 
intense enemy fire. Upon seeing a marine in his squad fall from 
multiple gunshot

[[Page 11652]]

wounds, he rushed through the firefight to provide first aid.
  Mr. Emmott and other squad members proceeded to transport the injured 
marine to the casualty collection point, when a second marine was shot 
in the thigh. Mr. Emmott ignored the chaos around him and worked calmly 
to aid the second casualty. After stabilizing the second marine, Mr. 
Emmott was struck directly in the face by a bullet, which pierced his 
sinus cavity and just narrowly missed his carotid artery. The blow 
knocked him unconscious. His squad leader, who saw him get shot, 
thought he was dead.
  When Mr. Emmott regained consciousness, he refused morphine in order 
to supervise the treatment of the injured marines. Despite difficulty 
speaking and choking on his own blood, he provided precise instructions 
to another combat lifesaver on how to administer aid to the injured. 
Then, despite excruciating pain, he managed to stagger to the medical 
evacuation helicopter, so that the other injured marines could be 
carried on stretchers.
  Today I would like to offer my humble thanks to Mr. Emmott for his 
selfless service, leadership, and courage. We all admire his strength 
and willingness to put others before himself, especially as he faced 
his own life threatening injuries. He is truly an inspiration and role 
model for all Americans. At the young age of 22, he has already 
accomplished feats of excellence that few could do in a lifetime. I 
commend Mr. Emmott for his unwavering commitment to his comrades and to 
his country.

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