Hampstead, North Carolina -- Hundreds of Marines and a number of Navy corpsman from Camp Lejeune’s School of Infantry East assisted dozens of civilian organizations during a five-day search and rescue mission here, June 7-11.
79-year-old Santo Deblasi, who had been taking prescription medication to treat a long-standing nervous disorder, wandered away from his family’s home on Island Creek Road during the early morning hours of June 7, according to his daughter MaryAnn Lavio.
“After we realized he was gone, we searched the property and then down the road,” said Lavio. “When we couldn’t find him we called the police. He’s never done anything like this before.”
Local authorities responded to the call around 7 a.m. After conducting a preliminary search of the yard and surrounding areas, the decision was made to call Woddy Sullivan, director of Pender County Emergency Medical Services, and begin the search and rescue operation.
“By law, we’re in charge of conducting search and rescue missions here in Pender,” said Capt. C.M. Sloan, patrol captain with Pender County Sheriff’s Department. “But EMS has a lot more resources, so we passed the ball to them and we’re doing our best to support the efforts.”
After assuming command of the operation as incident director, one of Sullivan’s top priorities was to contact fellow emergency response units from around the state.
“The way it works in the world of emergency response is we all help each other out,” said Sullivan. “We put a request out there and it gets answered.”
One of the first groups to respond to Sullivan’s call for help came from the SOI aboard Camp Geiger in Jacksoville, NC.
“Col. Adele E. Hodges, commanding officer of Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, has given me authority to provide assistance in the search and rescue process,” said Col. David Close, commanding officer of SOI. “We have been given approval to provide up to 72 hours of defense support to civil authorities in times of crisis or during time sensitive operations.”
“We have an opportunity to show the world what Marines are really made of,” said Close. “Bottom line, it’s just the right thing to do. We have the ability and resources to help, so we are.”
Within a matter of hours, the first wave of Marines, numbering more than 50, arrived by bus at the developing command operations center, based in a field near Lavio’s home. Most of the Marines involved in the search we’re provided by SOI’s Camp Guard Platoon.
“These Marines are just out of boot camp and this is their first assigned mission,” said Sgt. Richard Loveless, guard chief with the platoon. “With no formal infantry training, these guys are doing an incredible job. They’re out here representing the Marine Corps and assisting the community in a very professional and honorable manor.”
The Marines took to the ground and quickly began searching the densely wooded sections of the expanding search area. Utilizing a handheld global positioning system they ensured organization, efficiency and maximum coverage.
Searching for nearly three hours at a time, the Marines stopped for short rests every hour or so to battle the threat of dehydration and heat exhaustion. After every search the Marines returned to the base of operations for an opportunity to seek medical attention during an extended break and to re-supply.
“The volunteers back here at the command center have been keeping us hydrated and well fed,” said Sgt. Eduardo Ascencio, a sergeant of the guard with the platoon. “It has been a pleasure working with the civilians. We share a mutual respect for each other.”
The platoon arrived early on the first full day of the search and rescue and continued to provide services until being relieved by a second group of Marines nearly two days later.
“We haven’t had much rest,” said Cpl. Joseph Krameck, another SOG with the platoon. “We’ve struggled with the weather and the thick brush, but mission accomplishment is paramount in everyone’s mind. A lot of these young Marines have been out here for the last two days and many of them volunteered again today.”
When asked about his feelings regarding the operation, Pfc. Andy Mayberry, the platoon’s guide, said, “If it was my grandfather lost out there, I would want a bunch of Marines out searching for him.”
Another pair of Marines, Sgts. Brandon Cain and Bruce Calero, both combat instructors at SOI, assisted by using infra-red technology during aerial scans of the vicinity to identify heat sources in the forest that may have been Deblasi.
“We picked up a few animals and other heat signatures through the canopy,” said Cain. “Unfortunately we were unable to locate Mr. Deblasi.”
Although the Marines comprised a majority of the volunteer force, search and rescue efforts were also supported by more than two-dozen civilian service organizations including the Red Cross, North Carolina Forest Service and Highway Patrol, Onslow County EMS and a number of fire and sheriff’s departments from across the state.
“From an outsider’s perspective looking in, you see civilian and military forces working hand-in-hand seamlessly,” said Sullivan. “There’s a stigma out there that our military doesn’t do anything for us stateside, but here we are, hundreds of Marines and civilians working together to find one man. That’s what makes this country great.”
Despite an eye witness that placed Deblasi in the area on the morning he went missing and the discovery of a number of foot prints that are believed to belong to him, the search had yet to result in his return by the evening of June 10.
“Unfortunately, at some point we must begin to make a transition from search and rescue to recovery,” said Sullivan. “We’ve been searching for three days now and we’ll continue through the night and into tomorrow, but at some point we have to address the possibility that Mr. Deblasi may not survive this ordeal.”
On Monday, after more than 100 hours of searching Pender County EMS had begun scaling down operations.
“We’ve exhausted all resources,” said Sullivan. “We appreciate everything that everyone has done, and want to thank the Marines especially; none of this would have been possible without their assistance.”