NY Air Guard Master Sgt. Adam Gagne, a Tully resident, recognized for saving Soldiers life
Syracuse, NY (12/10/2021) — New York Air National Guard Master Sgt. Adam Gagne, at Tully resident, has received the 174th Attack Wing Safety Award for thinking quickly to save a friend's life on September 13, 2021.
The incident occurred while they were setting up tree stands for the upcoming white-tailed deer hunting season in Homer, New York.
He received the award on Nov. 13th from Col. William McCrink III, the commander of the 174th Airlift Wing.
On Sept. 13, Gagne, who is assigned to the 174th Attack Wing's contracting office, was working with his friend, Army Reserve Master Sgt. Richard Accardi, a member of the Reserve's Contracting Battalion, when Accardi cut a large gash through his forearm.
Accardi was securing camouflage netting using nylon zip ties.
He was cutting the nylon zip ties when his knife slipped.
Accardi slashed a six-inch long gash in his forearm. Muscles and nerves were expose. Blood was gushing out.
"I found myself slipping in and out of consciousness," Accardi recalled. "Years of Army training had not prepared me for anything like this. I'm not going to lie, I was terrified."
Accardi cried out for help.
"It was like someone had a milk jug that was filling up with blood. When I looked at it I could see different colors that you shouldn't see," Gagne said.
"I have been hunting for 20 years and have never seen anything like this," Gagne said.
His military first aid training kicked in, Gagne recalled.
He constructed a makeshift tourniquet using surveyor tape and started wrapping the tape above Accardi's bicep to slow the bleeding down, Gagne recalled.
While Gagne was wrapping, another hunter took his shirt off, tore it up, and handed it to Gagne.
Gagne used that to cover the wound. His focus was to slow the bleeding down.
At this point, Accardi started to fade out of consciousness. Gagne helped him down the stand. Accardi was loaded onto a four-wheeler and driven over treacherous terrain to Gagne's truck. They headed to the closest emergency room, at Cortland medical Center.
The emergency staff praised Gagne and the other hunter on their field care of Accardi.
"My military training played an important part in helping him remain calm during this rescue effort," Gagne said.
"I was a combat weatherman prior and learned Air Force self-aid buddy training and Army lifesaver skills. It was like second nature," Gagne said.
Accardi received fluids, lidocaine, 20 stitches, and 13 staples but made a full recovery.
He's grateful his Air Guard friend was there when he needed him, Accardi said.
"If I would have been alone I am fairly certain this would have turned out much different. He is someone who I do not just call my battle buddy, but on that day my guardian angel as well," Accardi said.
The 174th Attack Wing Safety Award is given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding safety achievement and to provide an incentive for all units to actively participate in the Air National Guard and the 174th Mishap Prevention Program.
"I wouldn't expect anything less from master sergeant Gagne, and I am proud of his quick action to save his friend's life," said Chief Master Sgt. Ashley Pace, the 174th Contracting Officer Supervisor and Gagne's boss
Media Attachments
New York Air National Guard Master Sgt. Adam Gagne, a member of the 174th Attack Wing, receives the wing's Safety Award from Colonel William McCrink III, the wing's commander, during a ceremony at wing headquarters on Nov. 13, 2021. Gagne was recognized for his quick-thinking, which saved the life of Army Reserve Master Sgt. . Richard Accardi, who cut himself badly in a hunting accident. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Barbara Olney)