DANIEL PENNY

DANIEL PENNY

By Andy Weddington

17 May 2023

Daniel Penny is a hero. - Kid Rock

Jordan Neely was an unruly subway train passenger threatening other passengers. [As reported, not an unknown to law enforcement.]

Daniel Penny was a subway train passenger minding his own business until minding his own business was no longer the right thing to do.

So Daniel Penny confronted and restrained Jordan Neely. 

Pause to consider the dynamics from three perspectives, 1. Unruly passenger; 2. Passenger incapable of defending self or anyone; 3. Passenger capable of defending self and others. 

Whom are you?

And what do you do?

What Daniel Penny did took extraordinary courage.

He willingly put himself in danger to protect others. 

In email sent me a couple days ago a seasoned law enforcement officer, trained in restraint methods, opined. 

After analyzing visuals of the engagement, he concluded Daniel Penny performed a textbook Carotid Restraint technique to subdue Jordan Neely. 

It was not a "choke hold."

Jordan Neely died. 

Was Daniel Penny responsible? 

He was charged with manslaughter so that's to be resolved in court. 

Consider ...

Jordan Neely would not have died had he not been unruly to the point he was perceived as serious threat to the well-being and lives of other passengers.

Daniel Penny surely was not a passenger planning nor expecting to engage a hostile passenger.

Daniel Penny happens to be a Marine infantryman (released from active duty couple years ago). 

I know a little about Marines and infantrymen and (their) training.

In short ... 

Confronted with trouble, Marines do not spectate.

Marines are trained to engage and use escalating levels of force - restraint to deadly - to restore order. 

This time, death. Unfortunate. 

It's not uncommon for a Marine, or Marines, to engage when clearly it's the right thing to do. Such scenarios make news with some frequency. 

Coming to mind is a mantra established some commandants back that the Corps returns Marines to their communities better citizens.

The Corps has another longstanding mantra: Once a Marine. Always a Marine. 

Considering the better citizen and always a Marine persona, the Marine Corps must do a better job formally recognizing Marines, formal duty status or not, who distinguish themselves by selflessly responding to life threatening situations at the risk of great personal injury or death. 

"What if" speculating moot. 

Commandant of the Marine Corps, award Daniel Penny the Navy Marine Corps Medal (Department of the Navy's highest award for non-combat heroism).

And same for any Marine disregarding personal safety and distinguishing themselves protecting and saving life.