Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Machinery Repairman First Class

    Action Date:

    February 16, 1965

    All Hands (October 1965)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Machinery Repairman First Class Richard Garrahan, United States Navy, for heroism in an effort to rescue two divers trapped by a flash fire in a decompression chamber at the U.S. Navy Experimental Diving Unit on 16 February 1965. Volunteering to attempt the rescue Machinery Repairman First Class Richard Garrahan and Boatswain’s Mate First Class James R. Taylor entered an adjoining chamber and made their way through the intense heat of the fire. They succumbed to smoke inhalation and fell unconscious themselves. They were removed when the chamber in which they were trapped could be brought back to surface pressure. By their courage and selfless efforts in trying to save the lives of others at the risk of their own, Machinery Repairman First Class Garrahan and Boatswain’s Mate First Class Taylor upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.