Navy People: Quick-Acting Medic Gets US Commendation

6 April 2008

Nowra’s Navy medic Tristan Harris has just been awarded a US Navy Commanding Officers commendation in the Persian Gulf.

Tristan, a Chief Petty Officer, was the senior medic aboard Navy frigate HMAS Arunta when a US sailor was injured near an Iraqi oil platform in December, 2007.

The injured US sailor was transferred to HMAS Arunta for treatment and the citation reads:-

“CPO Harris was immediately on the scene and provided expert care to the injured sailor. His medical skill and dedication as a medical professional resulted in the successful treatment of the injuries sustained.”

“I wasn’t expecting and award,” said Tristan. “I had no idea. I saw the CO last night in the hangar and I said ‘Sir, you kept that bloody quiet!”

But there was no escape for Nowra’s modest man of action. Tristan received his award in front of the whole ship’s company on station in the Persian Gulf.

Tristan said he and medic colleague LS Amber Collin were concerned at the wounds the US sailor has received. “He had shrapnel wounds to the hand and we were worried about tendon and nerve damage — and infection.”

“We stabilised the sailor, administered morphine and antibiotics through an IV and requested a medical evacuation to the mainland.”

The citation concludes that the patient was able to return to full duty “in no small part due to CPO Medic Harris’ abilities.”