Marine Who Saved UPS Driver’s Life Honored

David Ware, an executive of Liberty Mutual, presents Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Hai Vuong with the Lifesavers award. Photo: Gina Yarbrough/San Diego County News

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR–An award ceremony for a Marine who saved a UPS driver’s life was held Friday afternoon at MCAS Miramar.

Major General Mark Wise, commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, attended the 1 p.m. ceremony that honored 32-year-old Staff Sergeant Hai Vuong, an imagery analyst with 3rd MAW, for his heroic actions on the evening of Nov. 13, 2017.

“It’s something we’re very proud of as Marines. We got somebody in extreme situation that require split second decision Wise said of Vuong’s actions..

David J. Ware, an executive of Liberty Mutual, presented Vuong with the Lifesavers award while his wife, Yenni and 1-year-old daughter, Annie look on.

Vuong witnessed a semi-trailer clip another semi-trailer while traveling on Interstate 15 between Nipton and Barstow, California. Vuong safely removed the driver from the wreckage and waited for medical services to arrive.

“I immediately put on my emergency lights and got out of the truck. I ran back to the crash site with my brother in-law,” said Vuong.

Vuong and his brother-in-law, Simon Almeida, kicked out the windshield of the truck and turned off the engine because they saw fuel and other fluids flowing from the vehicle.

“Marine Corps training did come in handy in this situation,” said Vuong. “I remembered my training to be calm, cool and collected so others around me would not go into a frenzy. I had to ensure that when I extracted the driver from the truck’s cabin to be careful and not cause additional bodily harm.”

Vuong said he is honored that UPS is recognizing him and says he is glad the driver is alright. He added that he made the decision to stop because it was how he was raised and trained as a Marine.

“We help those who are in need of assistance and cannot help themselves,” Vuong added. “Be careful and slow down, nothing is worth rushing over especially when you’re dealing with someone’s safety.”