McConnell Reservist named Red Cross Military Hero

by 1st Lt. Zach Anderson
931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs

11/20/2012 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- A member of the Air Force Reserve 931st Air Refueling Group here has been named the Midway-Kansas Red Cross Military Hero for 2012.

1st Lt. Craig Van Praag, an aircraft maintenance officer assigned to the 931st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was named the Red Cross military hero for his life-saving actions while saving another Airman from choking while dining at the base food court on Oct. 3, 2012.

Shortly after entering the food court, Van Praag noticed an Airman who appeared to be choking.
"At first, it didn't appear to be very serious, and I just thought he had something go down the wrong pipe. But after a few seconds, it was obvious he was in real trouble," said Van Praag, a traditional Reservist who works on base during the week in a civilian capacity as manpower chief for the 22nd Force Support Squadron.

Acting quickly, Van Praag rushed across the food court to the victim.

"I asked him if he could breathe, and he gave me the sign for choking, with his hands on his throat and shook his head 'no'," said Van Praag. "So I decided to try the Heimlich maneuver."

Van Praag said he positioned himself behind the victim, wrapped his arms around him and thrust his fists upward into the victim's diaphragm in an attempt to clear the choking individual's windpipe.

"I gave him a couple of thrusts, and I asked him if he could breathe, and he again gave me the choking sign and shook his head 'no'," said Van Praag. "So I proceeded to give him several more thrusts and after about ten, the obstruction finally dislodged and came out and landed on the victim's tray on the table."

Van Praag said that he doesn't feel that his actions warrant the label of "hero," and maintains that he was simply doing the right thing and being a good "wingman."

"I saw an individual in trouble and I just tried to help him out. I'm just glad that I was able to help," he said. "I don't feel like I did anything that anyone else wouldn't have done. I'm just glad that it worked," he said. "I saw a fellow Airman in trouble and did what anyone else in my situation would have done."

Col. Donald C. Robison, 931st deputy commander for maintenance, said he wasn't surprised that Van Praag reacted to the situation in this manner.

"Since meeting Lt. Van Praag, I have been impressed with his situational awareness and decisiveness, something we look for in our company grade officers," said Robison. "His quick response is a testament to his character and leadership abilities."

Just a few weeks after his heroic actions, Van Praag deployed to Southwest Asia, where he is serving as a member of the 90th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron. Due to his deployment, Van Praag will be unable to attend the scheduled Dec. 12 Midway-Kansas Red Cross Heroes Breakfast, during which all Red Cross heroes will be honored. A family member will be accepting the award in his behalf.