Local Sailor Awarded The Silver Star

It’s not everyday that a Sailor is awarded the Silver Star, let alone one from South Kingstown.

Just last week, Hospital Corpsman Jacob Emmott was presented with the Silver Star award for his heroic actions after he aided a casualty in the midst of a firefight while in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in April 2010.

Emmott’s family attended the Third Annual Naval Safe Harbor Award Ceremony in Washington D.C. as he and his fellow service members were presented with awards for actions while fighting with the military.  

The Silver Star is the third highest award for valor in the US armed forces and is awarded for gallantry in action against the enemy of the United States.

During the firefight, multiple Marines sustained gun wounds and Emmott rushed to help them, and in the midst of helping them, he was shot in the head. Even after he was shot, he continued to help his fellow servicemen.

According to the citation from the Commandant of the Marine Corps, “Hospital Corpsman Third Class Emmott bravely rushed through intense enemy fire to render aid to the casualty…calmly stabilized the second casualty. While choking on his own blood and while laboring to speak, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Emmott conveyed to a combat lifesaver the exact steps necessary to continue critical aid.”

The citation continues with “His [Emmott's] courage, heroism, and dedication to his brother while in excruciating pain was a watershed moment which rallied the entire squad. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Emmott reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Emmott spoke of his feelings about the day he was injured.

“I’m not upset about (the injury) at all,” said Emmott. “We had gotten into a bunch of firefights that day, and it seemed like we were winning; it was honestly a really good day – minus the fact that I got shot in the head.”

Emmott’s father, Bob Emmott, is very proud of him for all that he has done working for the country.

“We’re very proud of him; he is definitely an amazing kid,” Bob Emmott said.

According to his dad, he’s always wanted to be in the military.

“Since he was in middle school he always told us that he was going to be in the service,” Bob Emmott said. “He’s never wanted to do anything else.”