Ursula Bannister was hoping to catch a view of Mount Rainier from High Rock Lookout earlier this year when she began hiking near Ashford, Washington. Instead, the 79-year-old found herself stranded and alone after a misstep left her with a broken ankle.
Bannister’s annual trip to High Rock Trail is one of great importance – it’s where her mother’s ashes are laid to rest – so she didn’t hesitate to make the journey alone.
“I know the trail very well, and there are always many people there,” Bannister said. “When I couldn’t find anyone to accompany me on this outing, I just went by myself.”
After eating lunch at the lookout platform, Bannister began to make her way back down the trail when her leg gave out after stepping into a shallow hole. The septuagenarian said the pain was immediate and she began calling out for help from nearby hikers, including Airman 1st Class Troy May, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron heavy aircraft integrated avionics specialist.
While other hikers tried getting in touch with emergency responders, May said he knew Bannister needed immediate medical attention.
“My first thought was if I could carry her down, I should carry her down and get her there as quickly as I can,” May recalled.
The Air Force reported that May slung Bannister onto his back and began the descent, but he was contending with “gravity pulling Bannister off his back, his cowboy boots causing him unneeded pain, and attempting to ensure a smooth and level descent for Bannister by constantly braking with his legs.”
“She was definitely in a lot of pain,” May said. “I told her just a few more steps and we’d get her there.”
During the descent, May and his friend, Layton Allen, took turns carrying Bannister.
“Once we got down, we loaded her into her car, elevated her foot and started driving to the hospital,” May said. “We met search and rescue about 30 minutes down the road, put ice on her foot, drove the rest of the way to the hospital and waited for her son to get there.”
Several days later, Bannister – freshly out of surgery and recovering at home – called May to thank him for everything.
“I truly felt that these two guys were meant to be there to save me, and that sort of swam in my subconscious at the time,” Bannister said. “I considered them my angels.”
Because of his act of heroism, May was awarded an achievement medal on September 9, 2024.
“One of the Air Force’s core values is service before self, and Airman 1st Class May clearly exemplified that core value with his actions,” Lt. Col. Joshua Clifford, 62nd AMXS commander, said. “While our team of Airmen showcase amazing accomplishments every day, we relish the opportunity to focus on one Airman’s courage and recognize them for truly living the Air Force’s core values.”