Army honors dental student鈥檚 heroism after bridge collapse

Minneapolis鈥擴niversity of Minnesota dental student Nathan Lund begins service to country and profession with an Army Soldier’s Medal for heroism, an honor by award of the president of the United States and rare in context.

He feels “very honored and humbled” they would honor his rescue mission as heroic and his nurse wife’s as patriotic civilian service, he told the ADA News in describing their Aug. 1, 2007, response to the Mississippi River Interstate 35-W bridge collapse. The tragedy claimed 13 lives and changed many more鈥攕ome 100 persons were injured. You may have read about Nathan and Christine Lund in the Aug. 20 ADA News or in the online version on ADA.org.

“His bravery and selfless performance in the face of danger set a standard of excellence worthy of emulation,” says the citation for heroism signed by the secretary of the Army and presented by the chief of the Army Dental Corps.

“Despite smoke, dust, exploding vehicles, and tons of hanging debris, 2nd Lt. Lund traversed these hazards in a valiant search for and rescue of critically injured survivors. 2nd Lt. Lund’s heroic actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Minneapolis Health Care Recruiting Company, the United States Army Dental Corps, and the United States Army.”

The Soldier’s Medal was created by an act of Congress to honor individual acts of heroism “not involving actual conflict with an enemy.” Past recipients include Colin Powell for heroism after a helicopter crash in Vietnam and Pentagon personnel who risked their lives to assist coworkers after the Sept. 11, 2001, attack. Just three other Soldier’s Medals have gone to medical officers in the past three years, said Trudy Rivers, Army Decorations Board.

Mr. Lund, a second lieutenant in the Army Reserve, is headed for active duty as a commissioned officer and an Army endodontic residency after his May 16 graduation from dental school.聽

The honors at a May 1 ceremony on the University of Minnesota campus included remarks by Maj. Gen. Russell J. Czerw, Army dental chief, and his “Star Note Citation” for Mrs. Lund. “I would like to express my pride and gratitude to you for your actions during the bridge disaster in Minneapolis where you provided medical care and evacuation assistance to people in need. These actions further reinforce the dedication to the health and well-being of others you chose when you decided to become a nurse. While it takes an event like this to earn you the title of 鈥榟ero’ in the national eye, your everyday actions as a member of the health care profession make you a hero in the eyes of the patients and families you touch every day.

“You have an exciting time ahead of you as Nathan finishes school and begins his residency at Fort Bragg. I hope you enjoy the benefits and challenges of being a military spouse and hope you find a place where you can make a difference in our military health care system.”

School of Dentistry Dean Patrick Lloyd told the Duluth News Tribune that Nathan Lund’s experience offers a good example of why dental students should have a well-rounded medical education. “Whether the emergency occurs on the shores of the Mississippi or in a dental office, you never know when you’re going to need the extra education,” said Dr. Lloyd.

The dental school featured its own story about Mr. Lund at www.dentistry.umn.edu.