Minot medic becomes combatant to save friendly, enemy forces

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Wesley Wright
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (ACCNS) --  Not too many people can tell a story of saving the life of someone who's trying to kill them.

For Tech. Sgt. Mark DeCorte, 5th Medical Support Squadron, NCO in charge of medical readiness, this is a story he's in a postion to tell from experience as a combat medic in Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Sergeant DeCorte recently returned from Afghanistan, where he served as a combat rescue flight medic with the 33rd Expeditionary Combat Rescue Squadron. The job involved dodging bullets to save both friendly and hostile forces injured in ground combat.

As a combat medic having flown 63 combat sorties, Sergeant DeCorte said he hopes that his military experience will enlighten Americans about what the Air Force is doing in the Global War on Terrorism. 

"The situation I was in was unique because, traditionally, when patients are picked up on the battlefield, the Army goes in with red crosses and unarmed," he said. "So, they pretty much have to wait until the battle field is secure. However, with the unit I was part of, we go in on combat helicopters with guns and can be an aggressor - [as part of] the operation. As people are being wounded, [we have the ability] to touch down in the middle of a battle [so] I can run out and grab a patient."

Under the Geneva Convention, medical personnel are noncombatants and it is therefore illegal for the enemy to engage them on a battlefield. However, as a combat medic, Sergeant DeCorte voluntarily gives up his protected status so he can not only continue providing medical care to the injured, but also to potentially play an active role in combat missions. 

"I can justify in my mind risking my life for an injured person," he said. "That makes sense. But initially, I had some dilemmas because, here I am risking my life on combat sorties [even when] nobody was even hurt. As time went on, the more remains I recovered of our fallen heroes, the more determined I became -- the more risks I was willing to take." 

Part of Sergeant DeCorte's bravery was developed by his family's strong military background.

"I grew up in a military household filled with stories of past operations and discussion on current events between my father, mother, and uncle; all of whom had been Air Force sergeants," Sergeant DeCorte added. "Between our family history and involvement in the Boy Scouts, my brother and I became very patriotic at a young age. Over time, we found ourselves studying the captivating military around us and it eventually became our military too."

The sergeant's wife, Tech. Sgt. Lorretta DeCorte, is also an Air Force medic. Currently, she is the NCO in charge of flight missile medicine for the 23rd Bomb Squadron here.

"I miss him when he's gone, but I'm extremely proud of him," she said fondly. "He's a great husband, father and Airman. He's had an outstanding career and this can only catapult him to greater things."

Sergeant DeCorte's dedication and success in combat has influenced how his leadership thinks about him as well.

"If I were deploying again and could only take one other Airman with me, the choice would be easy -- Mark DeCorte," said Lt. Col. Jim Sterling, 5th Medical Support Squadron commander. "You know he'll be there for you when the bottom drops out under any circumstances. He'll ensure the mission is complete and make sure you return alive."

As a Master Sergeant select with 13 years time in service, a bachelor's degree and decorations galore, which include recently winning Expeditionary NCO of the Year, some might wonder why Sergeant DeCorte doesn't attempt to get a commission or find an easier job.

"It's not about that," he said. "There's nothing wrong with other jobs and it's certainly a worthy goal to get a commission, but if I got a commission or switched career fields for personal gain, I would be doing an injustice. This is what I feel is the right thing for me to do."

Additionally, some people may wonder at how Sergeant DeCorte can be a combatant, but also be committed to saving the life of enemy combatants on the battlefield. However, Sergeant DeCorte has a "bigger-picture" outlook.

"My hope is that when I've saved an enemy's life, they'll take themselves out of the war and go back and tell their families how the coalition saved their lives," he said. "That may change the mindset of generations to come."