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My thanks go to the
US Coast Guard Historian's Office for allowing me to use the
information and images which appear on this page.
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 Congress
authorized the establishment of the Coast Guard Medal (Public
Law 207 of the 81st Congress) on 4 August 1949. The actual medal
was designed by Thomas Hudson Jones of the United States Army's
Institute of Heraldry. As designed, the seal of the Coast Guard
appears in the center of a bronze octagon. The seal is contained
within a border of continuous cable. The octagon shape is copied
from the Soldier's Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Medal,
and the seal in the center refers to Coast Guard service. The
border of continuous cable refers to both naval service and perfection
of ideals in the service of man. The medal's ribbon is decorated
with central and edge stripes of light blue and centered on either
half of the ribbon is a field of white containing three red stripes.
The colors were adapted from those of the Coast Guard seal.-
- The Coast Guard Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed
Forces who, while serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard,
distinguishes himself or herself by heroism not involving actual
conflict with an enemy. To justify this decoration, the individual
must have performed a voluntary act of heroism in the face of
great personal danger of such a magnitude that it stands out distinctly
above normal expectations.
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- The following are the Coast Guard Medal award citations (where
available) for those Coast Guardsmen who were awarded the Coast
Guard Medal, while serving on 44' Motor Lifeboats. The names are
listed in alphabetical order by last name. The citations that
are listed are a verbatim copy of the original.
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- Please note: the following Coast Guardsmen are also listed below,
as the US Coast Guard Historian's Office
did not have a citation for them
and I can therefore not be sure if they were 44' Motor Lifeboat
crewmembers or not: Hogue,
Andy P., Kleuskens,
Jeffrey A., Swank,
William R. and Truppa,
Chris P.
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- If anyone has a copy of a citation or any information that is
not included in the list, please let me know: I would also be
interested in any photos relating to these rescues. e-mail
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- BAUER, Wayne Marvin, Boatswain's Mate First
Class, USCG
- Date of Action: 20 January 1974
- Date of Award: 08 July 1974
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- Petty Officer BAUER is cited for heroism on the evening of 20
January 1974 while serving as coxswain of motor lifeboat CG-44331,
assigned to Coast Guard Station Umpqua River at Winchester Bay,
Oregon, engaged in the perilous rescue of three persons from the
heavy-laden fishing vessel HOLMES which had attempted to cross
the Umpqua Entrance Bar. The HOLMES, one of five fishing vessels
returning with a cargo of crabs, after waiting for a temporary
calm, was entering the river when she was overtaken by a series
of 10 to 12-foot breakers and rendered inoperative. As the turbulent
surf swung the fishing boat around to the south side of the South
Jetty, she was slammed violently and repeatedly against the jetty
and the cabin and steering gear were smashed. The CG-44331 was
on bar patrol because of the hazardous bar conditions when Petty
Officer BAUER observed the HOLMES taking the large breaking sea
and being veered sharply to starboard, ultimately crashing into
the jetty. Perceiving the imminent danger to the fishermen, he
immediately proceeded through the breakers; skillfully maneuvered
the 44-foot lifeboat through the jetty breakers alongside the
crippled vessel; and returned to Umpqua Station with the survivors
where they were treated for hypothermia and released without injuries.
Petty Officer BAUER's initiative and courageous actions contributed
to saving the lives of the three-man-crew. His unselfishness and
unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself
and the United States Coast Guard.
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- BOSLEY, David A., Boatswain's Mate Second
Class (Posthumously Awarded)
- Date of Action: 12 February 1997
- Date of Award: 18 February 1997
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- Petty Officer BOSLEY is cited for extraordinary heroism on 12
February 1997 while serving as a crew member aboard Coast Guard
Motor Lifeboat 44363, attached to Coast Guard Station Quillayute
River. Shortly before 1 o'clock in the morning, responding to
a distress call from the sailing vessel GALE RUNNER, Station Quillayute
River launched two rescue boats. The operator of GALE RUNNER reported
that the vessel was dismasted, taking on water, and in danger
of sinking, 2 miles south of the Quillayute River entrance. Seas
of up to 25 feet, combined with high winds and driving rain, created
a situation of imminent danger for the two people aboard the GALE
RUNNER. Soon after crossing the treacherous bar in an attempt
to reach the stricken sailboat, the motor lifeboat suddenly rolled
over several times in the surf and confused seas. As a result
of the repeated roll-overs, Petty Officer BOSLEY was forcibly
separated from his rescue craft and thrown into the churning ocean.
A Coast Guard HH-65 helicopter from Air Station Port Angeles was
able to hoist to safety the two people from the GALE RUNNER as
it crashed onto rocks. As a crew member of Coast Guard 44363,
Petty Officer BOSLEY willingly entered extreme ocean storm conditions
and sacrificed his life while attempting to save the lives of
the two people from the GALE RUNNER. Petty Officer BOSLEY demonstrated
remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite
of imminent personal danger in this rescue. His courage and devotion
to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the
highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.
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- (Related Coast Guard Medal citations:
Miniken, Clinton
P., Schlimme,
Matthew E., and Wingo,
Benjamin F.)
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- CASSIMUS, Ernest Spiro, Fireman, USCG
- Date of Action: 13 April 1969
- Date of Award: 16 May 1969
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- For heroism on the morning of 13 April 1969 while serving as
a crew member of CG-44387 engaged in the rescue of five persons
from a capsized pleasure craft in the surging surf off Clatsop
Spit, Columbia River, Ilwaco, Washington. The CG-44387 had warned
the crew of the pleasure craft of the approaching ebb tide, escorted
her to mid-channel, and departed. Approximately 30 minutes later
the pleasure craft was caught in the dangerous breakers and capsized
in the 15-foot seas. CG-44387 immediately returned to the scene
and located three survivors clinging to the stern of the overturned
boat and two persons holding onto a gas can. Fireman CASSIMUS
assisted in pulling three victims to safety as the CG-44387 was
maneuvered in the breaking surf. When one man was observed floating
away unconscious and face-down after being slammed against the
CG-44387 by the breakers, Fireman CASSIMUS, without hesitation,
jumped into the heavy seas, assisted the severely injured man,
supported him until arrival of a helicopter, and then placed him
in the helicopter rescue basket for evacuation. The CG-44387 subsequently
rescued the last survivor and departed for shore as the helicopter
hoisted Fireman CASSIMUS aboard. Fireman CASSIMUS demonstrated
initiative and fortitude, in spite of extreme personal danger,
during this rescue. His courage, unselfish actions, and unwavering
devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the
United States Coast Guard.
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- CRAVEY, Adam D., Fireman, USCG (Extraordinary
Heroism)
- Date of Action: 19 January 1996
- Date of Award: 09 February 1996
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- Fireman CRAVEY is cited for extraordinary heroism on the afternoon
of 19 January 1996 while serving as Boat Crewman on board Coast
Guard motor lifeboat 44352 during the perilous rescue of six crewmen
from the tug SCANDIA during a fierce winter storm. The Coast Guard
received a distress call from the SCANDIA reporting they were
on fire 4 miles south of Point Judith, Rhode Island. The motor
lifeboat [was] dispatched from Station Point Judith and
arrived on scene to find the six victims on the bow off the burning
tug trying to escape the fire which was raging out of control.
After successfully removing one victim and maneuvering to rescue
the remaining five, an explosion rocked the tug, blowing out the
pilothouse windows and forcing the remaining crewmen into the
freezing waters of Block Island Sound. Without hesitation, Fireman
CRAVEY, the designated rescue swimmer, determined that his risk
of hypothermia was overshadowed by the risk to the crewmen in
the water. Wearing only his anti-exposure coveralls, Fireman CRAVEY
successfully assisted the tug's crewmen into the motor lifeboat
and was the last one out of the water. Fireman CRAVEY demonstrated
remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite
of imminent personal danger in this rescue. His courage and devotion
to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United
States Coast Guard.
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- (Related Coast Guard Medal citations:
Underwood, Michael
L.)
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- DIXON, Richard D., Boatswain's
Mate First Class, USCG (Extraordinary Heroism)
- Date of Action: 03 July 1980
- Date of Award: 02 February 1981
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- Petty Officer Dixon is cited for heroism on the afternoon of
3 July 1980 while serving as the coxswain of Coast Guard Motor
Lifeboat (MLB) 44409. During this period he was instrumental in
preventing the yacht FANTASY ISLE, with five people on board,
from capsizing on the stormy Tillamook Bay entrance Bar. To escape
the remains of Tropical Storm Celia, the owner/operator of FANTASY
ISLE elected to seek shelter in Tillamook Bay, Oregon. Arriving
outside the Bay in the late afternoon, the bar entrance was completely
covered with breaking seas up to 30-feet in height. With the crew
of FANTASY ISLE completely exhausted and seasick, the owner/operator
believed he was in a "do-or-die" situation and informed Cost Guard
Station Tillamook Bay that he was going to cross the bar. Two
Coast Guard rescue boats were immediately dispatched to escort
the yacht across the Bar. Arriving on scene two miles off-shore,
Petty Officer DIXON placed his MLB behind FANTASY ISLE and took
the first breaking wave broadside thereby taking the full force
of the breaker before it could reach the yacht. Petty Officer
DIXON continued this highly dangerous procedure, taking breaker
after breaker, for the next 40 minutes until FANTASY ISLE was
safely inside Tillamook Bay. Petty Officer DIXON demonstrated
remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite
of imminent personal danger during this incident. His unselfish
action, courage, and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest
credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.
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- (Related Coast Guard Medal Citation: Langlois,
George R.)
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DIXON, Richard D., Boatswain's
Mate First Class, US
Date of Action: 04 July 1980
Date of Award: 02 February 1981
Citation not on file.
(Related Coast Guard Medal Citation: Larue,
Joe S., Michael,
William R. and Smith,
Stephen R.)
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- DIXON, Russell Bernard, Jr.,
Engineman Third Class, USCG
- Date of Action: 25 March 1965
- Date of Award: 26 October 1965
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- For heroism on March 25, 1965 while serving aboard the CG-44324
when he assisted in the rescue of two persons from peril on Bodega
Rock in Bodega Bay, California. The CG-44324 was dispatched from
Bodega Bay Station and upon arrival on the scene located two men,
one injured, stranded on a the rock with 12 foot seas and 30 knot
winds buffeting them. The men, who were the only survivors of
a capsized outboard boat, had been washed onto the rock and were
unable to help themselves due to shock and exposure. DIXON and
another Coast Guardsman, dressed in wet suits, immediately jumped
from the CG-44324 and swam 30 yards through heavy surf to Bodega
Rock with lifejackets for the survivors. With the assistance of
a civilian swimmer, DIXON then swam from Bodega Rock back to the
CG-44324 towing the injured man on a rubber mattress. The man
was then transferred to the USCGC CAPE HEDGE [WPB-95311]
and subsequently to shore for medical treatment. DIXON demonstrated
initiative, fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal
danger during the entire operation. His unselfish actions, courage,
and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon
himself and the United States Coast Guard.
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- (Related Coast Guard Medal Citation: Hinchcliff,
Ronald L.)
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- D'ORNELLAS, John C., Seaman, USCG
- Date of Action: 21 November 1980
- Date of Award: 28 August 1981
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- Seaman D'ORNELLAS is cited for heroism on the afternoon of 21
November 1980 while engaged in the rescue of the operator of a
foundering fishing vessel during a serve storm, 10 miles west
of the Umpqua River Bar, Oregon. Seaman D'ORNELLAS was a crewman
on Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat 44303 dispatched from Coast Guard
Station Umpqua River. The MLB arrived on scene after a punishing
ride through a breaking bar, 20-foot seas and 50-knot winds. The
operator and only occupant of the fishing vessel reported that
his auto pilot had failed, his forward hatch cover had been displaced
by seas breaking over the bow, and he was taking on water. He
further stated that his vessel was listing due to a broken stabilizer
pole, and that the listing had worsened due to flooding through
the forward hatch. He stated that he was unable to leave the helm
to receive a pump due to auto pilot failure. After numerous futile
attempts by a Coast Guard helicopter to hoist a Coast Guardsman
aboard, Seaman D'ORNELLAS volunteered to leap from the MLB to
assist the hapless operator. Seaman D'ORNELLAS went forward to
the bow of the MLB and maintained position there, enduring many
breaking seas for nearly 30 minutes while the coxswain fought
to reach a position form which a successful jump could be made.
Following the dangerous leap to the violently pitching and rolling
fishing vessel, Seaman D'ORNELLAS reassured the operator and went
forward to secure the loose hatch cover. Once again he was engulfed
by numerous breaking seas which, on several occasions, swept him
completely off his feet and forced him to grasp any available
object to remain aboard. The raging sea washed three pumps that
were delivered by helicopter overboard before they could be secured.
The forward hatch was again blown off and Seaman D'ORNELLAS endured
the battering sea to secure it. After the vessel suffered several
90-degree rolls, breaking windows in the wheelhouse and the antenna
which severed communication, Seaman D'ORNELLAS persuaded the operator
of the fishing vessel to abandon ship with him into the turbulent
ocean where they were picked up by the MLB. Seaman D'ORNELLAS
demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and
daring in spite of imminent personal danger in this rescue. His
unselfish actions, courage, and unwavering devotion to duty reflect
the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.
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- FRIDAY, Robert Garlon, Seaman, USCG
- Date of Action: 26 May 1968
- Date of Award: 15 Aug 1968
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- For heroism on the morning of 26 May, 1968 while serving as
crew member of the CG-44303, engaged in the perilous rescue of
one survivor and the subsequent search for three other persons
from the capsized pleasure craft YUM-YUM at Umpqua River Entrance,
Winchester Bay, Oregon. Despite 35-knot winds and rough seas with
12- to 15-foot breakers which broke up the pleasure craft YUM-YUM.
The CG-44303 proceeded to the scene and upon arrival sighted the
bow section in the surf and a survivor about 75 feet away repeatedly
going under the surface. As the CG-44303 was maneuvered alongside,
surf broke over the decks and the victim disappeared under the
port side. Seaman FRIDAY leaned far over the side of the boat
on the down roll and, although at times completely submerged,
helped to hold the survivor until he could be pulled to safety.
Learning that three other persons had been aboard the demolished
craft, the CG-44303 then commenced a search for the missing men
while maneuvering in breaking swells for approximately 30 minutes,
grounding once, frequently rolling broadside and repeatedly being
engulfed by the surf. Seaman FRIDAY was constantly on the alert
for the survivors and skillfully assisted in the recovery of two
victims, one of whom he held with his legs while completely submerged
by the breakers. Seaman FRIDAY demonstrated initiative, fortitude,
and daring in spite of imminent personal danger. His unselfish
actions, courage, and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the
highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.
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