Bay Ridge

Brooklyn’s terror attack hero to receive ROTC medal

Mark Kindschuh saved man’s life in London siege

September 12, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Mark Kindschuh, who received a City Council award from Councilmember Vincent Gentile at City Hall during the summer, will also be award the ROTC Medal of Heroism. Photo courtesy of Gentile’s office
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Mark Kindschuh is getting a military medal after all. The young Bay Ridge man who helped save a victim’s life during a terrorist attack in London in June will be awarded the ROTC’s Medal of Heroism, according to U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan. 

Schumer (D-New York) and Donovan (R-C-Bay Ridge-Southwest Brooklyn-Staten Island) had been pushing the U.S. military to honor Kindschuh.

Kindschuh, 19, is an ROTC cadet and attends Boston University. The Medal of Heroism is the highest Department of the Army medal awarded to ROTC cadets. 

Kindschuh was taking a summer term abroad in London and was in the Borough Market neighborhood with friends when the June 3 terror attack took place. During the attack, Kindschuh risked his own life to save the life of a man who was bleeding from his head and in need of immediate medical attention. Kindschuh had previously worked as a lifeguard and used his emergency training to help the man.

As the terror attack was unfolding, Kindschuh noticed a man lying in a pool of blood. He left his hiding space to help the man and noticed that the bleeding was coming from a wound in the back of the man’s head. Kindschuh took off his belt and wrapped it around the man’s head to stop the bleeding and then ran outside the pub to seek medical help. At that same moment, police were shooting the attackers.   

Schumer and Donovan wrote a joint letter to U.S. Army officials requesting that Kindschuh be recognized. 

In a letter informing the two lawmakers about the decision to award the medal, Maj. Gen. Christopher P. Hughes of the U.S. Army wrote that Kindschuh’s heroic actions “represent the best of what the Army looks for in the men and women who volunteer to become part of the Army ROTC.” 

Schumer said he was pleased the college student would receive recognition. 

“On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to congratulate ROTC Cadet Mark Kindschuh for being awarded the ROTC Medal of Heroism,” Schumer said in a statement. “During the tragic London attack, ROTC Cadet Mark Kindschuh showcased immense heroism by running towards the danger, not away from it, to save the life of a complete stranger and because of his actions, that man is alive today.” 

Donovan, who represents Bay Ridge, called Kindschuh’s bravery “an example to us all.”

The ROTC medal “is just the beginning of a bright and impactful career of service to our country,” Donovan predicted.

 

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