U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Tyler King, a communication strategy and operations officer with II Marine Expeditionary Force, poses for a photo with Theodore Cavanagh, an Onslow County Sheriff's Office deputy, after an award ceremony on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 23, 2020. King was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for acts of initiative and compassion towards a complete stranger. 1st Lt. King rendered first aid and coordinated emergency medical services while maintaining control of the scene which saved Deputy Cavanagh's life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cheyenne Stillion)
CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES
11.13.2021
Photo by Lance Cpl. Cheyenne Stillion
II Marine Expeditionary Force
CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES
10.23.2020
Courtesy Story
II Marine Expeditionary Force
In midst of an incident, an observer might normally weigh their options before jumping to assist. For 1st Lt. Tyler C. King, the decision to help a stranger in need was an easy one.
On Nov. 6, 2019, King, a Communication Strategy and Operations Officer with II Marine Expeditionary Force, witnessed a motorcycle accident. Without hesitation, King rendered aid to the motorcyclist who turned out to be off-duty Sheriff’s Deputy T.J. Cavanagh III of Onslow County Sheriff’s Office.
One year after he was injured in the motorcycle accident, Cavanagh, attended an award ceremony for King Oct. 23, 2020, for being first on the scene to provide first aid.
“As I was putting my kids in the car, I noticed two black shapes on the ground and realized it was a motorcycle rider who had gotten into an accident,” said King, a native of Ham Lake, Minnesota. “I told my wife to take the kids home and then I rushed to help him.”
Bystanders had begun to gather at the site, but no one understood how to help when King arrived on scene. After looking over the Cavanagh, King began treatment for shock, keeping him still and calm to prevent further injury.
King directed a bystander to call 911, while he stayed with Cavanagh until emergency medical personnel reached the scene. Cavanagh was taken to Onslow Memorial Hospital and then transferred to Hanover Regional Medical Center for higher levels of care. Since his accident, Cavanagh has recovered from his injuries and returned to full duty at OCSO.
For his actions, initiative, and compassion towards a complete stranger, King was presented the Navy and Marine Corps, Achievement Medal. “Assisting someone in need is what Marines do,” said Lt. Col. Robert Shuford, director of II MEF Communication Strategy and Operations. “This is exactly what we expect from our Marines. We are proud of 1st Lt. King’s example of selflessness and his quick decision making.”
