by Jen Myers
On the afternoon of April 20, 2022, then-16-year-old Curtis Chanthaboun was headed to the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua to meet up with friends. On his way there, he began feeling ill and decided to head back home. He turned around and started traveling back east on Pawtucket Boulevard, behind a car driven by 29-year-old Jonathan Lopez.
Lopez’s car swerved and slammed into a light pole. Chanthaboun sprang into action, pulling his car over and rushing to the stranger’s aid.
He was trapped in the car and going in and out of consciousness. To keep Lopez awake, Chanthaboun rubbed his sternum with his knuckles and kept talking to him until first responders arrived.
Lopez, a father of five, was transported to a hospital where he later died of his injuries.
However, Chanthaboun was able to bring some comfort to his family by letting them know he was not alone following the crash and by conveying his last words to them.
On Thursday morning during the Lowell High School JROTC Annual Inspection and Review, Cadet Chanthaboun was awarded the Silver Valor Award by U.S. Air Force JROTC Region 1 Director Brian Buck (U.S Air Force Lt. Col (Ret) ).
The Silver Valor Award is awarded to a cadet for a voluntary act of heroism which does not involve risk-of-life but which clearly demonstrates the Air Force’s core value: Service Before Self.
Chanthaboun was caught off-guard by the surprise honor, wiping away tears as Buck pinned the medal to his dress blues.
Receiving the award brought him right back to the emotions he felt when he met Lopez’s family at his wake, Chanthaboun said.
“They knew who I was immediately and being able to talk to them and tell them his final words was a relief to have that off my chest,” he said, adding he attributes his ability to handle stressful situations to his JROTC training and his first-aid knowledge to participating in the Lowell Police Department’s Student Academy in middle school.
In addition to Chanthaboun, Buck also presented awards to the cadets deemed the Top Three Performers by the Lowell High School JROTC instructors. Those awards were presented to Cadet Colonel Britney Thach, Cadet 1st Lieutenant Taw Taw Lay, and Cadet Colonel Nicole Tang.
