| Office of Public Affairs U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District |
|
|
| Press Release |
Date: Contact: |
|
AIR MEDAL AWARDED TO COAST GUARDSMAN CLEARWATER, Fla. - A petty officer from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater will receive an Air Medal tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. for his rescue of two crewmembers from the 35-foot sailing vessel Reaction 75 miles northwest of Eureka, Calif.on August 31, 2003. Aviation Survival Technician Steven Garcia was lowered into violent 40-foot seas and winds in excess of 50-knots after he decided it was too dangerous to attempt a direct hoist of the crewmembers off the wildly pitching vessel. Garcia swam 25 yards in 52-degree water to secure the first crewmember in the helicopter's rescue basket. Fighting the turbulent seas and physical exhaustion, he swam to assist the second crewmember and while shielding the crewmember from the breaking seas, he maintained a grip on the survivor until the rescue basket was safely delivered to them. After spending almost an hour in the cold, rough water, Garcia immediately began treating the survivors for hypothermia and shock. Garcia's actions and aeronautical skills were instrumental in the saving of two lives, earning him an Air Medal. Editor's note - Media are invited to attend the award ceremony at Air Station Clearwater and are asked to arrive at noon tomorrow. ### The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the |
printer friendly