Civil Air Patrol Cadet and 2nd Lt. Armando Dennis, a Medford resident and member of Jack Schweiker Composite Squadron, received the patrol’s lifesaver award at the New Jersey Wing Conference last month.
He is only the second member in New Jersey Wing history to receive the honor, for his actions in July of 2023, when he saved his mother’s life during a choking emergency at just 13 years old.
According to the award’s original nomination, then-Cadet Master Sgt. Dennis and his mother Farrah were having lunch when a piece of hardboiled egg became lodged in her throat. She attempted to clear it with water and continued coughing. Her son stayed close, watching her carefully and recalling the first aid she had learned as a nurse and shared with her son, especially not striking someone on the back during a choking episode.
When his mother’s coughing suddenly stopped, Dennis saw she could no longer breathe. Remaining completely calm, he stepped behind her to perform the Heimlich maneuver, delivering quick upward thrusts that saved her from choking to death.
Armando Dennis saved his mother from choking to death, crediting his composure to lessons learned in the Civil Air Patrol.
“His quick actions and calm cool head saved me from choking that day,” his mother said. “I’m not exaggerating when I say he literally saved my life. Had he not responded the way he did, I would have choked to death.”
She praised her son’s calm, systematic approach, crediting much of that composure to his Civil Air Patrol training.
“If you’re coughing and choking, I knew she was still getting air,” Dennis recalled. “It was as soon as she went silent that I had to act.”
The award nomination emphasized that Dennis’ “I have a job that must be done” mindset, his systematic approach and his ability to remain steady under pressure have been evident in multiple situations.”
