Oakdale Soldier ‘Doc’ Radatz’s Quick Actions Save Afghan’s Life

Editor’s note: Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Wilbanks.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan—The Army has a very structured system for how to address soldiers. Rank and name is the standard in every unit on every post with one exception not covered in any regulation or field manual. You can find this soldier in every line platoon.

He’s the Army medic, but you can call him doc.

Spc. John Radatz, of Oakdale—assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment “Spartans,” Combined Team Ready First—is one of those medics.

And on March 19, he was the difference between life and death for an Afghan soldier.

The day started out as a routine patrol for Radatz. His platoon was observing a Bravo Company, “Spartans,” routine clearing mission when they received a call that an Afghan army element had struck an IED. Not wanting to interrupt the mission, they chose to respond to the call for help.

When his platoon arrived on the scene, they started taking small arms fire. With rounds flying overhead, Radatz rushed to the first injured Afghan and started first aid.

“I noticed there was one ambulatory casualty. He was bleeding from his neck and both of his eyes were severely injured. I escorted him to the back of the Stryker I ride in and began treating his life threatening injuries, which was the bleeding from the neck,” Radatz said.

While Radatz worked to stabilize the Afghan’s injury, his element received word that there were two more Afghan casualties. As the first Afghan had been stabilized, his element moved to the other two downed soldiers.

Still taking small arms fire, Radatz and two other soldiers once again rushed to render aid. Unfortunately in this case, the other two Afghans had been killed by the initial blast. Not willing to leave their bodies on the battlefield, Radatz, with the help from two other soldiers, moved them into the back of the Stryker.

Although the small-arms fire had died down, the job was not over for Radatz.

With all the KIAs and injured loaded in the Stryker, Radatz’s platoon rushed to company outpost Azimjan Kariz (AJK) where the aid station waited to offer assistance with the still critically wounded Afghan. During the 20-minute ride, Radatz continued to provide care for the casualty.

After arriving at AJK, the Afghan was medically evacuated to a field hospital.

This was Radatz’s first time treating a casualty under fire and his actions undoubtedly saved the Afghan soldier’s life.

For his bravery, Radatz was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor and the Combat Medic Badge, both well deserved.

With the wounded treated, Radatz will go back and restock his aid bag. He will replenish the medical supplies on his Stryker and put all the equipment back in place. Then he will prepare himself for the next patrol.

And while he hopes to never have to use his skills or supplies, he will always come running to the cry of “Doc!”             

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