By Spc. Robert L. Jones , Det. 1 444th Mobile Public Affairs
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| Sgt. Edward F. Gott of Company A, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation was awarded the Delaware Conspicuous Service Cross. Photo by Spc. Robert L. Jones. |
On a spring evening in April, 2000, Gott was taking out the trash when he noticed his next-door neighbor sitting in his garage.
"He looked weary to me, so I asked him if he was okay," said Gott. Suddenly, his neighbor fell face first onto the pavement. Immediately, Gott had his wife call 911, and he then rushed over to administer CPR, reviving his neighbor with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Coincidentally, just three weeks before, Gott participated in a CPR refresher course offered by the Delaware Air National Guard.
"He flatlined twice on the table after I brought him back," Gott related. "The paramedics told me that he would not have survived without the assistance I gave him," he said.
Gott credits his quick thinking and vital actions to the CPR course, which he heartily recommends to other soldiers in the Delaware National Guard. "You never know when you’ll have to use it," he said.
Gott’s actions were noted in the award citation: "Sergeant Gott displayed exceptional ability by using sound judgment by providing immediate assistance to his neighbor while waiting for the emergency medical technician to arrive. His action saved the life of his neighbor."
Gott currently serves as a Prescribed Load Lift (PLL) Clerk with Company A
.