Lajes MDSS commander provides update on heroic Airman

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  A press conference was held to discuss the medical condition of Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone at the west gate of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 26.

Stone's commanding officer, Lt. Col. Richard Smith, 65th Medical Operations and Support Squadron commander at Lajes Field, Azores, held the conference and spoke on Stone's behalf.

"I am thankful for all the medical care I've been receiving both here and in France. I have nothing but high praise for the occupational therapy staff for the care and treatment they have provided for my thumb. Due to ongoing medical appointments and therapy, I can't be with you today... thank you to everyone who has reached out to wish me and my friends well and who have called us heroes."

Currently, Stone is being treated at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Military healthcare providers will assess the injuries suffered by Stone during the incident for follow-on care. That care includes treatment for a laceration to his thumb and a non-critical injury to his eye and other minor cuts and abrasions. He is expected to make a full recovery.

During the conference, Smith commended Stone for his valiant actions taken when he and two friends overpowered a gunman on a packed train Aug. 21, in France.

"There are a lot of men and women who got off that train and went home to their friends and families because of the actions they took," said Smith. "He is a hero."