Heroic Air Force Sergeant Rescues Choking Baby While Flying to Collect Award for Heroism

(Illustration - Shutterstock)

A U.S. airman recently took pause on his way to receive a prestigious award for heroism to do something, well, heroic. Far from the front lines, while taking a flight to his destination, he saved an infant’s life. The baby had stopped breathing, but fortunately, the young Airman knew exactly what to do.

Technical Sergeant Kenneth O'Brien, with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron at Kadena Air Base in Japan, was named one of only twelve 2019 Outstanding Airmen of the Year by the Air Force Association. He was chosen from among a pool of 36 nominees.

On Sept. 11, 2019, O'Brien was on a flight back to Dallas, Texas, from Okinawa, Japan, with his family to receive his award at the Air Force Association conference. That was when a 1-year-old child on the plane lost consciousness due to an airway blockage.

According to American Military News, another passenger initiated first aid to the infant but was unable to clear the blockage. Which is when O'Brien stepped in.

The young sergeant conducted at least two rounds of back thrusts and swept the baby’s mouth for debris before the blockage was cleared. O’Brien also performed CPR to stimulate oxygen intake before handing the baby, now breathing normally, back to their parent in one piece.

Lieutenant General Jim Slife, head of Air Force Special Operations Command, posted the incident on Facebook, reassuring his followers that the child regained consciousness after about 60 seconds, and added that O'Brien regularly checked in on the child throughout the rest of the flight home to Dallas.

Silfe wrote on Facebook:

“I can’t decide if he’s Superman or Mayhem (the guy on the insurance commercials), On his flight back to the states from Okinawa last weekend for the AFA Convention to be recognized, an infant starts choking and stops breathing.

“Our man OB leaps into action, clears the breathing passage, resuscitates the kid, hands him back to the parents, and then goes on about his business.

“I don’t know whether I want to be right next to him in case some bad stuff goes down, or whether I want to be as far away from him as possible because bad stuff always seems to go down around him.” O'Brien was humble about his heroism. “I’m thankful that the child is okay and that I was able to help when the family needed support,” he said, explaining that he just “happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

According to Business Insider, this is not O'Brien’s first brush with heroism.

O'Brien served as a member of President Trump’s security detail for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, during which time he rescued someone from a burning vehicle in Korea; he helped rescue a Thai soccer team from a cave, and during that same operation, he also saved the life of a Thai Navy SEAL.

“If someone needs to go do something dangerous, I volunteer,” was O'Brien’s rationale. “If someone needs a leader, I volunteer. I happened to be in the right place at the right time and that’s what helped me stand out, because I sought out key positions or responsibilities.”

The young airman’s commander asserted that O'Brien was more than deserving of the accolade. Lieutenant Colonel Charles Hodges, commander of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, said in a statement to American Military News:

“We are very proud of Tech. Sgt. O'Brien. He continues to step up when there is a need for leadership and action.

“This incident demonstrates without a doubt that O'Brien epitomizes the Air Force’s core values, and rightly deserves the honor and selection as one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.”

Illustration - Shutterstock | Klemen K. Misic

It seems the public agrees with both Silfe and Hodges’s synopses; a number of veterans and military personnel stepped up to share their own anecdotes in response to Silfe’s Facebook post, and many sent warm thanks to O'Brien for his bravery.

“There are some great young folks in this country of ours,” wrote one. “He’s definitely one of the best we have serving. I hope he makes the military a career.”

“Good stuff young man! You were definitely designed for greatness,” added another. “I pray you are always safe, always have someone to lean on (doing these things, I assume, can weigh on a persons heart), and have lots of love around you. Thank you for being you!”

Air Force Special Tactics details that the Outstanding Airmen of the Year are chosen based upon their “superior leadership, job performance, and personal achievements to represent the service’s top enlisted members.”

O’Brien started his Air Force career in 2007; he left for basic training immediately after graduating high school, as he had “always wanted to be the one jumping out of planes.” He also wanted to help people.

“I went to the recruiter specifically looking for pararescue,” O’Brien explained. “I had been looking into it since I was 12 years old and it was my only goal.

“I was shocked,” he added, referring to the award, “and never thought I would win.”