British helicopter pilot takes risk, saves American Soldier

Capt. Josh Darnell Until this month, Capt. Josh Darnell didn’t even know the name of a quick-thinking British helicopter pilot who likely saved his life Jan. 8, 2009.

“I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to say he saved several lives,” said Darnell, of Company C of the Warrior Transition Battalion.

Darnell was interviewed Dec. 4 by a British production company for a segment on Royal Air Force Flight Lt. John Walmsley, whose actions in January garnered him a nomination for The Sun Military Awards 2009. Walmsley was recognized Dec. 15 on British ITV1’s “A Night of Heroes” program.

Darnell, a native of Watkinsville, Ga. and University of Georgia graduate, who was part of the 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One,” spent much of Jan. 8 weaving through the crowded marketplace near Kandahar, Afghanistan, interviewing shopkeepers gathering information on suspected police corruption.

It was mid-afternoon when a suicide bomber set off an explosion, killing more than a dozen civilians, two American Soldiers and Darnell’s interpreter. About six Soldiers, including Darnell, were severely injured and required immediate medical attention. Several others sustained non-life threatening wounds.

Shrapnel from the blast ripped through Darnell’s right arm, removing his elbow; his right eardrum went deaf. He also had injuries to his hips and legs.

Walmsley was flying a Chinook in the NATO-controlled zone in which the attacks took place when he heard about it over the radio. It was going to take about 30 minutes for the medical unit to arrive at Darnell’s spot.

“It was a very crucial decision,” he said. “He didn’t know how things might have played out. It took a brave pilot. For all he knew, there was going to be a secondary attack. A Chinook is a big fat target. It’s not a nimble craft at all.”

Walmsley’s craft wasn’t even equipped with any medical equipment, and he had several passengers at the time he picked up the wounded.

Darnell is thankful Walmsley risked it. The 30 minute wait could have been detrimental, he said.

“Among those worst injured were losing a lot of blood,” he said.

Darnell said he tried to stay alert and awake during the helicopter ride. He’d remembered hearing one time that someone who falls asleep is more likely to go into shock and die.

“Ninety-eight percent of my brain power was geared toward keeping myself awake and conscious,” he said.

Darnell arrived at Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center only a few days after the incident. Initially, doctors weren’t sure they could save the limb.

“They had to wait for some things to heal,” he said. “The other option was amputation. This was the better of the two choices.”

Doctors fused the arm bones together at the spot where the elbow would be. After several months of therapy at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Active Duty Rehabilitation Unit, he is able to use his hand and fingers.

Darnell’s future plans are to return to the University of Georgia and get a master’s degree in public administration. He said he’d like to possibly work for the Veterans Administration.