Air Force Major Awarded Certificate of Merit for 9/11 Efforts

As a tribute to his heroic efforts following the attack on the Pentagon on September 11, Major James G. Cusic, III, was awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit in an emotional ceremony at the organization's national headquarters. Red Cross president and CEO Marsha Evans and many other honored guests were on hand as Major Cusic received the award, which goes to an individual who saves a life using the skills and knowledge learned in a Red Cross health and safety services course.

American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans presents the Certificate of Merit Award to Major James G. Cusic, III. From Left: Peter Macias, Red Cross volunteer; Scott Conner, vice president of Health and Safety, Youth and Community Services; Red Cross Certificate of Merit recipient Major James G. Cusic, III; and Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans.

The presentation began with a short welcoming statement by the volunteer chair of disaster public affairs, Peter Macias, and continued with a montage of images depicting the horror of the terrorist attacks of September 11 and the courage of those who responded. Scott Conner, vice president for Health and Safety, Youth and Community Services, described the nature of the award and introduced Red Cross President and CEO Marsha Evans, who told the story of Major Cusic's actions on that fateful day.

As Ms. Evans noted, Major Cusic's commitment to saving lives began when he was a pararescueman and paramedic in the United States Air Force, long before September 11. He was also a Red Cross health and safety instructor for over twenty years. When the Pentagon was struck by hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 on September 11, Major Cusic was in the building. He immediately made sure everyone in his area evacuated the building safely and then began providing first aid training and care to victims with life-threatening injuries in an emergency triage area.

In addition to providing care for many victims, Major Cusic was directly responsible for saving the lives of three critically injured people. Disregarding his own safety, he even volunteered to re-enter the burning wreckage and attempt to recover people still trapped inside, but was unable to do so because of the extreme heat and smoke.

Ms. Evans closed the ceremony by welcoming Major Cusic into the Red Cross family and presenting him with a medal and the actual Certificate of Merit signed by President George W. Bush. Major Cusic, grateful for the recognition, will return to the St. Louis Area Chapter of the Red Cross, where he has recently become a disaster specialist, even more aware of the lifesaving lessons that are taught at the Red Cross every day.