God Still Has Good Samaritans
Joseph G. Perkins V
Seaman, Telecommunication and Information Systems Command, U.S. Coast Guard
Duty Station: Alexandria, Va.
Hometown: New Orleans, La.
On February 24, 2016, while traveling with soldiers from the U.S. Army “Old Guard” to a ceremony, Seaman Joseph Perkins witnessed a car lose control, collide into two other vehicles, and ram into a guardrail. He and three soldiers called 911 and provided assistance. There was an unconscious woman inside the car, which had caught fire and was continuing to accelerate into the guardrail. Together, using a flashlight, a tire iron, and their own fists, they broke the driver’s side window and pulled the unconscious woman from the vehicle and carried her more than 100 feet to safety. Seaman Perkins and a soldier rendered first aid and were able to stabilize the woman until medical professionals arrived. He was nominated and later selected for the 2016 DHS Secretary's Valor Award.
The Secretary’s Award for Valor is the highest departmental recognition for extraordinary acts of valor by an employee or group, occurring while on or off duty. The award is given in exceptional circumstances to those who have demonstrated extraordinary courage in a highly dangerous, life-threatening situation or emergency under extreme stress and involving a specific act of valor, such as saving another person’s life or property. Both civilian and military employees of the Department are eligible for this award.