[CHDIRAUX-L] 2006 ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA (AFRAS) AWARD RECIPIENTS -020/07

[Chief Director of the Auxiliary Announcement List]

To:   ALAUX
From: CHDIRAUX
Subj: 2006 ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA (AFRAS) AWARD RECIPIENTS-020/07

1. FYI:


R 021157Z JUL 07 ZUI ASN-A00192000020 ZYB 
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-3R// 
TO ALCOAST 
BT 
UNCLAS //N01650// 
COMDTNOTE 1650 
SUBJ:  2006 ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA (AFRAS) AWARD RECIPIENTS 
A.  COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 101354Z APR 07/ALCOAST 201/07 
1.  THIS MESSAGE ANNOUNCES THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2006 ASSOCIATION 
FOR RESCUE AT SEA GOLD AND SILVER MEDALS.  THE GOLD MEDAL IS 
AWARDED ANNUALLY TO AN ENLISTED MEMBER OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD WHO 
IS INVOLVED IN A RESCUE OF LIFE AT SEA, AND WHO DEMONSTRATES 
UNIQUELY HEROIC ACTION.  THE SILVER MEDAL IS AWARDED ANNUALLY TO A 
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARIST FOR EXTRAORDINARY BRAVERY IN A RESCUE 
AT SEA. 
2.  AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICAL SECOND CLASS JOSHUA H. 
MITCHELTREE, CGAIRSTA ELIZABETH CITY, HAS EARNED THE GOLD MEDAL FOR 
HEROIC EFFORTS AS A RESCUE SWIMMER ABOARD COAST GUARD HELICOPTER 
CG6041 ON APRIL 29, 2006, DURING A SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION. 
PETTY OFFICER MITCHELTREE'S ACTIONS RESULTED IN HIS SAVING THE 
LIVES OF TWO MARINERS AS THEIR DISABLED SAILING VESSEL DRIFTED 
INEXORABLY TOWARDS TREACHEROUS SHOAL WATERS IN 25 FOOT SEAS, 35 
KNOT WINDS AND TOTAL DARKNESS.  PETTY OFFICER MITCHELTREE'S LIFE- 
SAVING RESCUES IN THE FACE OF GREAT PERSONAL DANGER ARE MOST WORTHY 
OF THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD. 
3.  BOATSWAIN'S MATE FIRST CLASS DAVID RAMSEY, CG STATION CAPE 
DISAPPOINTMENT HAS EARNED THE GOLD MEDAL FOR HEROIC ACTIONS DURING 
THE RESCUE OF THE FISHING VESSEL KATHERINE M ON JANUARY 15, 2006. 
AS THE HEAVY WEATHER COXSWAIN ABOARD CG MLB 47248 HIS LEADERSHIP, 
SEAMANSHIP, SKILL, AND UNDAUTED COURAGE DIRECTLY RESULTED IN SAVING 
THREE LIVES FROM THE TREACHEROUS COLUMBIA RIVER IN 25-35 FOOT SEAS 
WITH 25 FOOT BRAKING SURF USING A PRECARIOUS SLIP TOW EVOLUTION, 
BM1 RAMSEY'S RESCUE EXECUTING ROBBED THE GRAVEYARD OF THE PACIFIC 
OF FURTHER VICTIMS ON THAT DAY.  HIS EXEMPLARY RESCUE SKILLS AND 
PROFESSIONALISM ARE EXTREMELY NOTABLE AND IN KEEPING WITH THE 
HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD. 
4.  AUXILIARIST HAROLD ROBINSON, FIFTH DISTRICT NORTHERN REGION OF 
AUXILIARY BOAT 279521 IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE SILVER MEDAL FOR HIS 
HEROIC RESCUE OF FIVE DISTRESSED PEOPLE FROM THE WATERS OF THE 
DELAWARE RIVER.  ON AUGUST 26, 2006, THE OPERATOR OF A NINETEEN 
FOOT POWERED CANOE, HIS ELDERLY FATHER, AND THREE SMALL CHILDREN 
WERE SWAMPED BY FOUR FOOT SEAS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CROSS THE 
DELAWARE RIVER IN POOR WEATHER.  THE OPERATOR OF THE VESSEL WAS 
ABLE TO RELAY A BRIEF MOBILE PHONE DISTRESS CALL WHILE THE CANOE 
RAPIDLY TOOK ON WATER.  WHEN THE CANOE ABRUPTLY OVERTURNED ALL FIVE 
PERSONS WERE ADRIFT IN THE TURBULENT WATERS OF THE DELAWARE BAY, 
MEMBERS OF THE AUXILIARY SEARCH AND RESCUE DETACHMENT WILMINGTON 
SWIFTLY LAUNCHED CG279521.  THE CREW ARRIVED AT THE SCENE IN LESS 
THAN FIFTEEN MINUTES AND DESPITE DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS 
SKILLFULLY RECOVERED THE NEARLY EXHAUSTED FAMILY FROM THE PATH OF A 
VERY LARGE MERCHANT SHIP.  THE CREW OF CG 279521 RECOGNIZED THAT 
THE CHILDREN EXHIBITED SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHERMIA AFTER SPENDING MORE 
THAN HALF AN HOUR IN THE WATER, AND PROMPTLY TRANSPORTED THEM TO 
SHARE FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION.  THE SPEEDY RESPONSE AND EXPERT RESCUE 
OF THIS FAMILY REFLECTED GREAT CREDIT ON THE CREW OF CG 279521 AND 
ARE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF HUMANITARIAN SERVICE. 
5.  THE OTHER AFRAS AWARD NOMINEES ALL OF WHOM DEMONSTRATED 
EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE AND HAVE FURTHER ENHANCED THE COAST GUARDS 
REPUTATION AS THE LIFE SAVERS ON GUARDIANS OF THE SEA.  THEY ARE: 
AST/E-5 SCOTT D. CHEERS, CG AIRSTA NORTH BEND; BM2 STEVEN RUH, CG 
STA OSWEDO; ASTC JOHN LINNBORN, CGNR 6591, AIRSTA PORT ANGELES; MR. 
CHRISTOPHER WIACKLEY, CGD ONE; AND VICE CAPTAIN KEITH E. WESTON, 
CGD ONE. 
6. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED. 
7. RDML W. E. JUSTICE, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR RESPONSE, SENDS. 
BT 
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