Civil Air Patrol Major Saves Young Girl

Photos by Public Affairs Staff

By Lt. Col. Marian Motyl-Szary

Marco Island, Fla.: On December 3rd, 2023, Maj. Jesse Baker, a member of the Marco Island Senior Squadron and a long-time member of the Grace Lutheran Church, successfully performed lifesaving measures on a 7-year-old girl who was choking on a piece of candy during a Sunday service. Maj. Baker's swift response and extensive training in Civil Air Patrol proved invaluable in saving the child’s life.

The incident occurred during the 10:30 AM service at the Grace Lutheran Church. As the young girl and her father were preparing to sit, the father noticed that his daughter was holding her throat, unable to speak or breathe. The church's Director of Christian Education began calling for help, and Maj. Baker, seated a few pews away, immediately assessed the situation and took action. Drawing upon his rescue training, he delivered firm pats to the girl's back followed by a quick thrust to her diaphragm dislodging the candy and allowing her to breathe. This action is known as the Heimlich Maneuver and is part of Civil Air Patrol first aid training. Civil Air Patrol has saved 18 lives nationwide this year.

According to squadron commander Lt. Col. Robert Nager, "We emphasize life-saving training in Civil Air Patrol, and the generous donations from the Marco Island and surrounding community allow us to amplify those efforts. Maj. Baker's actions exemplify the dedication and readiness of our volunteer members to serve their community in times of need."

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with over 60,000 members nationwide. Missions include emergency services, aerospace education, and cadet programs. The Marco Island Senior Squadron volunteer members regularly participate in training exercises to maintain proficiency in lifesaving techniques, disaster relief, and other emergency response skills.

As Maj. Baker reflected on the event, "I am grateful for the training provided by Civil Air Patrol providing the knowledge and confidence to act quickly in this emergency situation to save a life."

Pastor Keith A. Lingsch, who witnessed the event, expressed his gratitude for Maj. Baker's heroic actions in a letter to the Commander of the Marco Island Senior Squadron. "The members of Grace Lutheran are grateful for Jesse, for his actions that day that changed the outcome of what would have been a tragic day," he wrote. "We are thankful that he is a faithful and dedicated member of our congregation. Any recognition that Civil Air Patrol can give to Jesse is well deserved."

For his actions, Maj. Baker is being recommended for a Civil Air Patrol Lifesaving Award.

The Marco Island Senior Squadron welcomes new members and appreciates the ongoing support from the community. For more information about joining Civil Air Patrol or making a donation to support their mission, please visit https://fl376.cap.gov/contribute/.