Marine Honored for Heroic Rescue from Burning Car

Staff Sgt. Benjamin T. Lucas has been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the highest non-combat decoration conferred by the sea services, in recognition of his decisive and selfless actions in rescuing a woman from a burning vehicle in 2022. The story, originally reported under the title “Marine earns service’s highest non-combat award for vehicle rescue” by Military Times, describes a dramatic scene in which instinct, training, and courage converged to save a life.

According to the Military Times report, Lucas was driving near Jacksonville, North Carolina, on July 16, 2022, when he encountered a car crash. Flames were engulfing a vehicle after it collided with a utility pole. Lucas, who serves as a motor transport maintenance chief with Combat Logistics Battalion 22 at Camp Lejeune, was off duty at the time and accompanied by his wife and child. Despite the evident danger to himself, he stopped, assessed the unfolding emergency, and took swift action.

Witnesses reported that Lucas coordinated efforts at the scene, ensuring bystanders did not endanger themselves, while he approached the engulfed vehicle. He managed to pull a woman from the car seconds before it became fully consumed by fire. His actions preceded the arrival of emergency responders and were instrumental in preserving the woman’s life.

For his heroism, Lucas was presented the Navy and Marine Corps Medal on February 2, 2024, recognizing his extraordinary valor and presence of mind. The medal, established in 1942, is reserved for acts of heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy, and is considered equivalent in prestige to the Bronze Star Medal awarded for combat operations.

Command leaders praised Lucas for demonstrating the core values of the Marine Corps both on and off duty. Maj. Gen. Calvert Worth Jr., commanding general of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, noted during the award ceremony that Lucas’s actions reflected the service’s highest ideals — courage, selflessness, and a commitment to protecting others.

Lucas, speaking modestly after receiving the award, credited his military training for preparing him to respond decisively in such a volatile situation. “All I saw was someone in need,” he said, adding that he did not hesitate or consider the risk to himself in the moment.

His story joins a long tradition of military personnel who distinguish themselves not only on the battlefield, but in civilian life as well, guided by their sense of duty and readiness to act in times of crisis.