Georgia-native Coast Guardsman, recipient of lifesaving medal to be available for media interviews

CLEVELAND — Media is invited to speak with and interview a Coast Guardsman who received a prestigious lifesaving award last month, at a media availability scheduled for Thursday in Atlanta.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Thomas McArthur, an aviation survival technician assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Mich., and recipient of the Silver Lifesaving Medal, will be at Coast Guard Recruiting Office Atlanta from noon to 2 p.m.

McArthur, a native of Dunwoody, Ga., and 2007 graduate of Greater Atlanta Christian School, is credited with saving 12 lives from violent riptides at Frankfort Beach in Frankfort, Mich., on Aug. 15, 2010. At the time, McArthur was assigned to Coast Guard Station Frankfort and rescued the dozen swimmers while off-duty.

McArthur was presented the Silver Lifesaving Medal at the Coast Guard Foundation Dinner in New York on Oct. 13.

He was also recognized by the National Capitol Area Council Boy Scouts of America at their annual Scouting Salutes the Military event in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 27. A lifelong member of the scouting community, McArthur earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2006. Click here to read about the Boy Scout event.

For his heroism, as well as his many accomplishments, McArthur was named the Coast Guard's Shipmate of the Week.

According to Title 14 of US Code, which establishes Coast Guard lifesaving authorities, the Gold and Silver Lifesaving Medals may be awarded by the commandant of the Coast Guard to any person who "rescues or endeavors to rescue any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other peril of the water."

Who	Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Thomas McArthur
What	Available for media interviews regarding his receiving the Coast Guard's Silver Lifesaving Medal
When	Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Where	Coast Guard Recruiting Office Atlanta 1100 Hammond Drive, N.E. Suite 460B Atlanta, GA 30328

Media interested in participating should contact the 9th Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at 216-902-6020 prior to 10 a.m. Thursday.

For problems with directions or parking, please contact Chief Petty Officer Michael Armistad, recruiter-in-charge of Coast Guard Recruiting Office Atlanta, at 404-308-7647.

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