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DEL.ICIO.USStress constant companion for combat medics
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Forward Operating Base Mahmudiyah, Iraq — The bloodstain on Spc. Jonathan Bentjen’s boot looks like nothing more than a dark smudge.
But it is special to Bentjen. It came from a fellow Georgia National Guard soldier, Sgt. Jim Kirchner. He has left it on his boot for good luck and to remember Kirchner.
“He is with me all the time,” said Bentjen, one of several hundred Army medics serving in Iraq.
Some medics stay behind at base aid stations where they treat everything from headaches to heart troubles to shrapnel wounds.
Others go out into the field and engage in firefights. Most soldiers try to keep their medics safely behind them. A wounded or dead medic can hinder a mission and hurt morale.
Louie Favorite/AJC
Staff Sgt. John Healton (left) of Douglasville and Spc. Jonathan Bentjen of Atlanta compare tattoos at FOB Mahmudiyah.
Medics are often first on the scene to help wounded soldiers. Under combat conditions, they must quickly make decisions on whether to insert a breathing tube, apply a tourniquet or amputate a limb that can mean the difference between life or death.
It was the morning of June 12 when Kirchner spilled his blood on Bentjen. Insurgents were firing mortars at their base about 15 miles south of Baghdad. One landed just outside Kirchner’s tent, blasting him out of his cot and spraying his back, shoulders and right arm with shrapnel.
Kirchner started screaming: “I’m hit! I’m hit! Medic! Medic!”
Bentjen was across the base when he heard the explosion. He rushed toward the commotion around Kirchner’s tent.
Inside, Bentjen saw dust floating in the sunlight streaming through holes in the tent.
“It looked like a starry sky at night,” Bentjen recalled. “All of this blood was all over the floor. It was surreal, like you were watching it on TV or a movie or something.”
Kirchner was bleeding heavily. His left lung was collapsed, and his breathing was labored. His liver, a kidney and pancreas were damaged. He had at least 28 pieces of shrapnel in his body.
Bentjen bandaged Kirchner’s arm. He closed the wounds in Kirchner’s back with sticky gauze, improving his breathing and buying him precious time. Then he helped carry Kirchner to an ambulance.
Bentjen didn’t recognize Kirchner until he rolled him onto his back. The two had shared the same tent in Kuwait.
“That surreal feeling came again,” Bentjen said. “I had never treated anybody that I had actually known. It freaked me out.”
Louie Favorite/AJC
Staff Sgt. John Healton is among those with a Mohawk-like haircut.
Kirchner, recovering back home in Paulding County, credits Bentjen and other medics from the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment with saving his life.
The medics at this base are a tight-knit group. Most of the 32 medics in the battalion have survived roadside bombings, some more than once. Two were severely injured in bombings and sent home
Several shaved their heads in solidarity, leaving only narrow Mohawk-like strips of hair. A few got tattoos of menacing looking skulls on their arms that boast “Combat Medic.” Occasionally, they get together in a wooden shack and sing silly songs about the war.
All agree that treating fellow soldiers, whom they consider family, is emotionally draining.
Back home, Bentjen, 33, is a charge nurse at Atlanta Medical Center. He lives with his wife and two young children in Douglasville. He has a photo of his son, Sam, and daughter, Emma, stuck to his rifle stock. He enlisted because he thought he would look good in a uniform. Now, he wonders about the decision he made.
“If I was given a chance, I would be home in a second,” he said. “I miss my family and my work more than anything. I’m not much of a soldier.”
Still, fellow medics say Bentjen, with his civilian experience in emergency rooms, fills a vital role at their base. Because of his depth of knowledge, higher-ranking soldiers call him “specialist in charge.”
Bentjen said his work in Iraq had been rewarding, despite his second thoughts about joining the military. It has reinforced his desire to continue working in a hospital.
A fellow medic, Spc. Colby Smith, has had a far different experience. He joined the military so it would pay for his college tuition. He wanted to become a cardiologist. But he is now soured on the idea. Treating fellow soldiers has been too traumatic of an experience.
It all started on July 20. Smith was with a convoy of soldiers hunting insurgents near the town of Yusufiyah when he heard an explosion. He turned and saw the Humvee behind him rolling over. It had been hit by an insurgent’s bomb.
Spc. Richard Ingram of LaGrange was thrown from the vehicle, and it rolled over his left arm, nearly severing it. Smith rushed to his side.
“There were five million things going through my head. I was coughing up blood,” Ingram recalled. “I even asked the medic, ‘Am I going to die?’ “
Smith playfully hit Ingram on the shoulder.
“I hit him because I didn’t know how to answer him,” Smith said.
Smith reassured Ingram that everything was going to be OK. Another soldier had improperly tied a tourniquet on Ingram’s arm. Smith removed it and placed it in the correct position. He thought about amputating but decided against it, instead placing Ingram’s arm in a splint.
Another passenger in the vehicle, Sgt. Joe Brown of Dallas, Ga., was also injured in the rollover. He had a broken jaw, broken ribs and was bleeding from his right ear. Smith treated him, clearing his airway so he could breathe.
After the wounded soldiers had been safely evacuated, Smith’s adrenaline started to wear off. His hands were shaking. A fellow soldier helped wash the blood off them.
“I really felt nauseated. The adrenaline was so high that I was getting tunnel vision,” said Smith, 23, who lives in Athens and works at a video store.
Just a few days earlier, Smith and Ingram had been tossing a football around. They shared the same barracks at Fort Stewart. And Smith said Brown often gave him marital advice.
He talked about them one recent evening as he sat in a wooden shack where the medics hang out between shifts.
“I came into this shack and bawled my eyes out,” Smith said. “After you work on someone who is that close to you, medicine is sour. The beauty of it is gone.”
Ingram credits Smith with helping save his life. He recently received a prosthetic arm and is fly-fishing back in the United States. Brown has recovered from his wounds and is back in Iraq.
Smith said he wants to pursue something else when he returns home. He’s thinking of starting a computer business. Or he might run for political office some day.
But no more medicine. He said he is through with that.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Sgt. James Kirchner
November 1, 2005 07:52 AM | Link to this
I don’t know what to say except THANKS guys!!! oh, and Bentjen DO NOT CLEAN YOUR BOOTS! that would be bad JuJu. I’m doin okay and you guys stay focused and stay safe!
Sgt. Kirchner, James L Thunder Jinx Delta A.K.A “K”
By CECILE WATERS
November 1, 2005 08:24 AM | Link to this
As the Mother of a medic there (Sgt Robert Waters) I can only say thank you for the awesome job you guys are doing. We know the stress is almost unbearable, but are so thankful for your God-given gift of healing that is making the difference for our soldiers. Just know that the grateful hearts of millions at home are continually praying for you to remain strong, both physically and emotionally, and for an end to this war to come soon. Ceil Waters
By Wife of a 48th Soldier
November 1, 2005 10:21 AM | Link to this
Thank you for this article! God Bless these guys for defending our freedom! My husband serves closely with these men and I am so proud that they look after one another so carefully. This brought tears to my eyes remembering the injuries referenced. Thanks guys for all that you do and we await your safe return home.
By Linda Healton
November 1, 2005 10:32 AM | Link to this
You look so sexy babe. I can’t wait to see you again. I am so proud of you. Take care and I will see you soon.LOVE YA!!!
By Sara Drahos
November 1, 2005 11:29 AM | Link to this
HI JOHN!!
You are becoming a regular in the AJC. I like the mohawk! Everyone is ready for you to come home. We miss you!! Stay safe….you are in my thoughts and prayers always! -Sara
By Mary C
November 1, 2005 11:41 AM | Link to this
Great to see my friend John Healton in these photos. I can’t imagine how any of you cope with the war and missing your families. May God bless and keep you. And bring you all home as soon as the job there is done! Keep up the good work and your spirits. We miss you.
By A proud wife
November 1, 2005 01:48 PM | Link to this
You guys are awesome and make me proud to be an American!!
Thank you for all that you do!
By Linda Healton
November 1, 2005 02:19 PM | Link to this
Hey JB…anything to get in the paper huh? LOL..Just kidding.You guys are doing a fantastic job over there. Take care and we will see you soon.( bet you can’t wait!)
By lizz healton
November 1, 2005 03:31 PM | Link to this
hey dad just wanted to say nice tattoo and hairdo.but i like both.i miss you so much cant wait to see you again. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! love, ellie
By Didi A
November 1, 2005 04:33 PM | Link to this
What’s up John, It’s great to see your pictures. Just to let you know you are always in our prayers. And tell your buddies to nice to you cause your getting older this month. Thank you for fighting for us…
By Jennifer
November 1, 2005 04:46 PM | Link to this
Thanks for spotlighting a bunch of soldiers who rarely get the recognition and appreciation they deserve. God bless you all!
By Linda M. Hill
November 1, 2005 05:43 PM | Link to this
I want to thank you so very much for the great reporting you do from Mahmudiyah. My son, SPC Pragovich, Christopher, is in the 101st that will be taking over for the 48th. I am hoping that you can tell me if another reporter is over there to cover the 101st activities and what website I might access to keep informed. I look forward to your articles every day to keep me in touch. I would appreciate any and all help that you might be able to offer. Thanks again guys for the awesome job you do for all of us back home.
A very concerned Mom, Linda Hill
By nancy castle
November 1, 2005 06:39 PM | Link to this
hey john, nice tat! how the hell are ya? you look good at least.when are you going home? i hope to see you in july. sure missed you this year.keep on fighting.thank you,and all the other soldiers who are putting their neck on the line for us back in the US. hope to see you soon.
love, nancyBy j massa
November 1, 2005 08:23 PM | Link to this
Hey John, hope all is well with you and we miss you so much. Everyone sends greetings and we hope you get home soon. L.D. says”lookin forward man-lookin forward” Lem says “see ya soon, love ya and when you get home we’re gonna Q and shoe and drink a few” We are proud of you and we love you. God bless and be safe!!
By Marge Brown
November 1, 2005 08:38 PM | Link to this
Spc-Colby Smith,By the grace of God and your gifted hands my son, SGT Joe Brown has been able to continue his life plans. Whatever you choose to persue I am sure you will be successful. Thank you for your service and dedication. Proud Mom
By massa
November 1, 2005 08:44 PM | Link to this
whats up john hope your takin care of yourself.we got a lot of lies to tell you when ya get home and were all lookin foward to seein you and ya know we got all kinds of stuff to catch up on so keep it pimpin pimpin!see ya soon MASSA
By Lady Friend of a Combat Medic-in-training
November 1, 2005 09:07 PM | Link to this
my friend just joined the military last month to help pay for college tuition. he’s in basic training to be a combat medic. it’s sobering to read what those guys go through and imagining my best buddy doing it too. thankyou for all you do. i’ll be praying for you!
By Sheryl Schaefer
November 1, 2005 09:38 PM | Link to this
Thank you to these and all medics. My husband, SSG Jeff Schaefer, was at FOB Row when he was hit with a mortar round on Aug 15th. He still has retained shrapnel in his head. I have been told that the medics/chopper were in and out within 8 minutes. I truly credit them with saving his life. I only wish I knew their names so I could thank them in person. Please keep up the good work and please, please, please keep bringing our boys home alive. Be strong. I am forever grateful!
By lindsey massa
November 1, 2005 09:45 PM | Link to this
Hey uncle John i miss you and i just wanted to say i cant wait to see you i love you bye BE SAFE
By Christy Bentjen
November 2, 2005 09:24 AM | Link to this
Words can’t describe how proud I am of you guys over there, especially you Jonathan Bentjen. You have always been my favorite nurse but to hear about you in action as a Combat Medic just gives me chills. I can’t wait to see your face next week. Your kids and I love you and miss you very much. Take care of each other, Christy Bentjen
By Scott McAfee
November 2, 2005 10:59 AM | Link to this
I am proud of you “Uncle” John, John, and Colby. All of you are serving with honor. Keep safe.
By Linda Bailey
November 2, 2005 01:58 PM | Link to this
Hi, John!
We think of you often. Your dad sent me a letter and is thinking of you, too. Take care of yourself and keep safe.
Love, Aunt Linda & Uncle Carl
By Lou Cuneo
November 2, 2005 05:18 PM | Link to this
Pride and gratitude…that’s what the family and friends of Jonathan Bentjen feel. We’ll see you in Atlanta when you get home.
We love you…Lou Dude and Joan
By Emma Bentjen
November 3, 2005 09:01 PM | Link to this
Hey Daddy. I love you so much! Be careful coming home. I’ll see you next week. You are my hero in combat and out of combat! I love you more than anything. EMMA
By Mary & Cary Massa
November 10, 2005 12:28 PM | Link to this
John,
I know your family misses you terribly. Please keep yourself safe and keep up the good work. See ya this coming summer.
Love, Cary & Mary @ The bid Houston Town
By Max
November 15, 2005 09:36 AM | Link to this
John,
It was great seeing you in the paper…you’re getting to be pretty famous. I know Linda and the kids are proud just as we are here. Take care and be safe!!!
—Max