A story of a hero | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's Note: This article originally appeared in the Beaufort Observer.

    Hero - a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.

    There is no better picture of a hero than that of U.S. Army Sgt. Jacob Perkins, who is being featured as part of the U.S. Army Faces of Strength series, which highlights how selfless commitment to their country and their Army have inspired others to take action as well.

    An Iraqi war vet, Perkins, part of the 10th Mountain Division, 2nd Brigade, 189 Cavalry, was driving home from nearby Fort Drum on leave to celebrate his daughter's birthday when he witnessed an accident between a tour bus and a tractor-trailer in the early morning of July 22.

    The New York City bound tour bus was carrying 53 people from Ontario, Canada, when it collided with a tractor-trailer, and burst into flames.

    Perkins was traveling west on I-90 and saw the accident. He pulled over, crossed the median on foot and went to help. "I saw the semi hit the bus and it burst into flames," said Perkins 28, "I pulled over and just went to help."

    "All of a sudden this guy came running," an eyewitness said. "He ran right onto the bus that was fully engulfed in flames." After pulling several passengers off the burning bus, Perkins returned but could not see anything due to the heavy smoke. He then made sure to touch every seat on the bus, making sure everyone was accounted for.

    Of the 53 passengers on the bus, 46 six were transported to several local hospitals, and 30 were treated for injuries but there were no fatalities on the bus, largely due to the heroic actions of Sgt. Perkins. Both of the vehicles involved were destroyed.

    Perkins good deeds didn't end there. Two women - the wife and daughter of a Mr. Blair, of London, Ontario - had no way to reunite their family, after Mr. Blair was air lifted to a local hospital. Perkins not only drove them to the hospital in Rochester, but then to Syracuse where he waited with them until other family members arrived.

    Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Martin Dempsey called Perkins himself to congratulate him for a job well done. "I was really surprised to hear the caller say, 'this is Gen. Dempsey, the Chief of Staff.' I mean, I don't get a lot of calls like that," said Perkins who joined the Army in February 2008.

    These actions by Perkins showcase, that not only are our service members heroes in war, they do the same while at home. NAUS Note: These types of military members are exactly what we want, but they are those same ones who are possibly at risk of losing benefits due to Congressional efforts at budget cutting without thinking of consequences. Well Done Sgt. Perkins. Congress would do well to remember your actions as they debate possible massive cuts in Defense spending.