U.S. Marine Corps Cullen Potter, a Dripping Springs resident, was praised for his quick action when he and three sailors saved the life of a Marine who was seriously injured during a target practice at a firing range in July.
Their quick response allowed the injured Marine to be stabilized before he was transported by helicopter to a nearby hospital. The Marine was treated and released to recover with his family.
For this act, Potter and his comrades were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at a ceremony at Camp Wilson, California, on August 11. The rescued Marine and his family participated in the ceremony via video call.
Major General David L. Odom, commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division (MARDIV), presented the four soldiers with the award medals.
“The immediate and responsive actions of our Marines and Sailors exemplify the professionalism and dedication we value as a unit. Thanks to their quick actions and the additional support of other Marines, Sailors and civilians from the battalion, Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, one Marine is still alive and on the road to recovery,” said Lt. Col. Ted Driscoll, commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd MARDIV.
Potter serves as an anti-tank missile gunner and squad leader with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd MARDIV.
Potter, a 2021 graduate of Dripping Springs High School, is the son of Brian and Kari Potter of Dripping Springs. His brother Kyle graduated from DSHS in 2023.
According to his father, Brian Potter, Cullen is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys deer and duck hunting and saltwater fishing. He is also an excellent marksman whose shooting skills were honed through military training, earning him the highest shooting record at basic training at Camp Pendleton, California.
“We are incredibly proud of Cullen. We always have been. What has touched me most about this story is the comments from people who know him. They are not surprised that he helped. That is in his character. He has always been an extraordinary young man,” said Brian Potter.
Potter added that as a Marine, Cullen received the training to respond to such emergencies, especially in deployments. “This training gave Cullen (and the three other soldiers) the skills and confidence to act,” Potter said.
Cullen chose the Marine Corps after a recruiting officer visited his high school, likely influenced by his father’s service in the Navy and his experiences working with the Marines.
Brian Potter said they discussed the incident and Cullen’s reaction. He said the Marine experience and training inspired Cullen to consider a career in emergency medicine when he returns to civilian life.
Cullen has been taking college courses with the intention of completing his degree after his active duty, but this incident gave him pause for thought. “The feeling of being able to help this man and then seeing him alive with his parents touched Cullen, and now he thinks emergency medicine is what he wants to do for the rest of his life,” said Brian Potter.
The Potter family has lived in Dripping Springs for ten years. Brian Potter is a retired air traffic controller and now works as an instructor in the control tower at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Kari Potter is a teacher in the gifted program at Dripping Springs ISD.
Cullen’s younger brother Kyle graduated from DSHS in 2023 and serves in the Air National Guard. Kyle is currently training to be an air traffic controller.
In addition to Cpl. Potter, three Sailors were commended for their efforts: Hospital Corpsman Third Class Petty Officer Carlos Calvillo of Banning, Calif., a medic and company commander with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd MARDIV; Hospital Corpsman Second Class Petty Officer Jonathan Wegner of St. Louis, Missouri, a medic with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd MARDIV; Hospital Corpsman First Class Petty Officer Efrain Barrera of Coalinga, Calif., a medic and battalion chief petty officer with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd MARDIV.
