BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- One moment he’s looking over a design for a tattoo, the next he’s saving someone’s life.
Second Lt. Adam Sacchetti, 2nd Security Forces Squadron Supply and Logistics officer in charge, removed a 17-year-old from a smoking car following an accident in San Antonio on April 6, 2018.
“I went into the tattoo parlor just after noon, we were simply going over the draft of my tattoo. Then out of nowhere, a massive crunching noise filled the room around me,” Sacchetti said. “I looked up and all I saw was a vehicle flying vertically through the air. It flipped and landed, crushing right down on the roof.”
Being a security forces Airman for 11 1/2 years, Sacchetti’s reaction to the accident was instinctual.
“I looked over to the tattoo artist and said ‘hey, I’ll be right back,’” Sacchetti said.
He ran out into the busy three-lane road attempting to stop the traffic around the crash site. As Sacchetti got to the inverted car, he could hear the screams of the 17-year-old who was trapped inside.
“I could see this kid was in complete shock, but he was moving around trying to get out. The car was smoking and there was fluid all around, that was when I made the decision to pull him out,” Sacchetti said.
Sacchetti reached in through the debris and broken glass, grabbed the young man by his arms and pulled him to safety. Sacchetti, with training in combat lifesaving, was able to ensure there was nothing seriously wrong with the 17-year-old at that time.
When first responders arrived, Sacchetti gave them the information he had. At that point, he knew the young man was in good hands and proceeded back to the tattoo parlor where he then sat for an 11-hour session.
“Being prior enlisted, I have had a lot of deployments and have dealt with these sort of situations overseas,” Sacchetti said. “When it happens, you don’t do it for notoriety or recognition, you do it because you have to. My adrenaline was pumping and I didn’t really think about myself. I saw that kid in need and felt I had to get to him. It was just instantaneously reverting back to my training.”
Sacchetti’s actions have been recognized by different roles of leadership including, Col. Ty Neuman, 2nd Bomb Wing commander and Lt. Col. Ryan Natalini, 2nd SFS commander.
“The actions of Lt. Sacchetti were nothing short of courageous. He wasn’t obligated to help, but his true character showed as he immediately stepped into action. As defenders, it is our job to look out for those in need," Natalini said. "Lt. Sacchetti demonstrated what we expect out of our defenders. He is a world-class Airman, and I am proud to have him on our team.”
Sacchetti believes it is important to help others when they are in need.
“In my opinion, if you have the ability to help, you have the responsibility. If you can make a difference, as little as it may be, it’s better than nothing,” Sacchetti said. “I woke up that day just expecting to get a tattoo, but it turned out to be an experience I will never forget.”