2015 Soldier of the Year
honorable
![](https://www.servicemembersoftheyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Christopher-Cordova-2015.jpg)
Maj. Christopher Cordova
Maj. Christopher Cordova has used his experience during the deadly battle at Combat Outpost Keating, Afghanistan, to further improve medical care on the front lines. During the October 2009 battle, Cordova kept a severely wounded soldier alive for several hours. It likely was the first time an Army doc conducted a fresh whole blood transfusion under fire on the battlefield. Cordova was awarded the Silver Star for his action.
The prior-enlisted soldier's work and ensuing research has since been shared with military medical professionals across the force. In 2014, it was picked up by Norwegian special operations troops and is also being used to help the 75th Ranger Regiment further train its medics. Cordova is working with a fellow PA at the 75th Ranger Regiment on research into how to stop bleeding from wounds that can't be compressed by a tourniquet.
In 2014, Cordova launched a multisite study to assess how well PAs across the Army are able to diagnose ankle fractures , something that has never before been measured.
When he's not working, Cordova is a big advocate of physical fitness, especially as it helped him cope with the horrors of battle. In 2014, he was a mentor for the young quarterbacks who were part of the Elite 11 2014, helped implement the return of the West Point duathlon, and was heavily involved in Team Red, White and Blue, a veterans group whose mission is to connect vets to their communities through physical and social activity.
Notable quote from his nomination: "He is a once-in-a-generation officer."