They're calling him a hero: Staff Sgt. Banuelos' quick thinking is winning him accolades

  • Published
  • By Will Alexander
  • 452 AMW Public Affairs
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  Staff Sgt. Robert Banuelos, an air transportation specialist at March ARB's 56 APS, was having his usual day on Sept. 17 - busy as ever. He packed 30 hours into 24, it seemed, mainly with assignments from a two-week TPC class he's attending at the Transportation Proficiency Center at Dobbins ARB. 

After a hectic morning of classes, he and a couple of buddies went - for the first time - to the Dobbins Consolidated Club to scarf down some chow before getting back to the grind. But during the meal, a commotion erupted from a few tables to his rear. 

"I looked back to see what was happening, and a man was slightly slumped over standing up with his head on his right forearm," said Staff Sgt. Banuelos. "He appeared to be upset. Someone was standing beside him with their hand on his back, as if he was consoling him, so I figured everything was OK and turned back around to finish my lunch." 

Seconds later, the staff sergeant heard a loud noise coming from the same table. This time everyone was glued to the scene. The man had violently dropped to the floor while still holding his neck and gasping for air. Staff Sgt. Banuelos' emergency training quickly kicked in and he rushed over to help. 

As an Airman and 13-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department, he instinctively put himself in charge, ordered onlookers to call 911, and lifted the 62-year-old man to his knees. 

"He could not answer my questions," he said. "He had his hands around his neck (the international sign for choking) and appeared to be choking. He was unable to stand without my help. I began giving him abdominal thrusts." 

Food was immediately dislodged from his mouth, but the victim still couldn't speak properly, so he motioned for more thrusts. After Staff Sgt. Banuelos gave him three more, the rest of the food was dislodged, and he began speaking and breathing normally. 

When base security forces and paramedics from the Dobbins Fire Department rushed inside the club moments later, there was nothing left to do except make a final assessment. 

"Job well done," one of them said to the new hero. "Where'd you get your training?" 

There's little doubt that the outcome would've been very different had it not been for the staff sergeant's quick action, but he still shies away from being called a hero. 

"The man needed help, I have the training, so I helped him," he said. "That's it." 

Chief Master Sgt. Joyce Scott, TPC, respectfully disagrees. "Personally, I think he's a great individual," she said. "Right now he's a little overwhelmed by all of the attention he's receiving, but I told him, 'You did a great thing because we could be going to that individual's funeral right now. God had you in the right place at the right time.'" 

Chief Master Sgt. Scott said she appreciated how Staff Sgt. Banuelos used the training he's accumulated over the years that ended up saving a life, and she urged others to use him as a model. 

The next day, Chief Scott presented him with a "one-of-a-kind" TPC 20th Anniversary silver coin and applauded his actions in front of staff and fellow Airmen. 

"A lot of people take their training lightly," she said. "But we're a country at war right now. You never know when you might be called upon to save someone's life." 

When Staff Sgt. Baneulos graduates today, he'll have some special visitors. Col. Heath J. Nuckolls, commander, 94th Airlift Wing, will present him with a special troop award and a commander's coin. He'll also receive a visit and kudos from Col. Gary Blaszkiewicz, Deputy Director of Logistics, HQ, AFRC, and graduation guest speaker. 

Staff Sgt. Banuelos' unit has also submitted him for a couple of awards. Robert Davenport, 56 APS "undershirt," said he was submitted for an Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Sergeants Association's Pitsenbarger Award. 

"He did fantastic, " said Davenport. "He's the true wingman. I'm a retired cop out of Chula Vista and our commander, Maj. Mark Saragosa, is a firefighter out of Vegas. So, now the count is: cops, 1 and firefighters, 0." 

But Staff Sgt. Banuelos isn't counting. He just believes anyone would've done what he did, and hopes they'll be prepared when an emergency calls on them. 

"The need for basic lifesaving techniques is important because it is a skill you can use at any time," he said. 

"The difference between a person dying or living can come down to whether you have the basic lifesaving skills. You never know when you will have to use those skills, as proved in my incident.