USU Staff Member’s Quick Actions Save Motorcyclist

Uniformed Services University administrative officer’s quick thinking prevents tragedy on icy morning. 

USU administrative officer John Clark helped rescue a trapped motorcyclist on the Summit Avenue bridge

in Kensington, Md. (Image adapted from Google Maps)

February 10, 2026 by Cmdr. John Dryden, Department of Radiology and Bioengineering and Sharon Holland

What began as a routine winter morning in the Washington, D.C., region quickly turned into a life-threatening emergency—one that might have ended in tragedy if not for the decisive actions of a Uniformed Services University (USU) staff member.

John Clark, an administrative officer in

USU's Department of Radiology and

Bioengineering. (Photo credit: Tom

Balfour, USU)

John Clark, an administrative officer in USU’s Department of Radiology and Bioengineering, moved briskly across an icy bridge on a cold January morning in the Kensington, Md., area. Snow and ice from the previous days had been cleared, but slick patches remained. Clark was on his way to catch the bus to work as the low rumble of an approaching motorcycle drew his attention. Seconds later, a violent crash shattered the quiet morning. The bike struck a patch of black ice and skidded across the bridge towards Clark, the rider pinned beneath it and sliding directly into oncoming rush-hour traffic.

A former Navy corpsman and retired Army medic and combat veteran of two wars, Clark did not hesitate. He moved toward the wreckage. Seeing vehicles closing in,  the rider unable to move, and without regard to his own safety, Clark stepped into the roadway to stop traffic—just before the first car reached the fallen motorcyclist. Clark then lifted the motorcycle off the trapped rider and helped move him out of harm’s way. 

He downplays any notion of heroic action, however. 

“I'm not a hero. More like just a concerned citizen who needs to help when things happen,” Clark says. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I knew I had to act quickly to help, and thankfully it all worked out. Anyone in that situation would hopefully do the same.”  

While the moment may seem extraordinary, it is consistent with a lifetime defined by service.

Clark’s government career began in 1976 when he enlisted as a Navy corpsman. Over the decades, his work has taken him around the world in service to the nation, including assignments with the Peace Corps, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Army Reserve, where he served during both the Gulf War and the Iraq War.

At USU, Clark is widely known as a steady and dependable professional. Colleagues describe him as someone who shows up early, goes the extra mile without being asked, and quietly supports those around him. His commitment to service also extends well beyond the workplace. Clark volunteers as a local 911 call center responder and helps train USU service dogs, continuing a pattern of community involvement that has long defined his career.

Now approaching 50 years of federal service, Clark embodies the highest ideals of public service—calm under pressure, selfless in action, and ready to step forward when it matters most.

"John exemplifies the very best of our department and the University," said Dr. Vincent Ho, chair of Radiology and Bioengineering department. "His courage, dedication, and selflessness are inspiring to all of us, and this incident is just one of countless examples of the extraordinary commitment he brings to everything he does."