Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Coast Guard Medal

    Service:

    United States Coast Guard

    Rank:

    Machinery Technician Third Class

    Action Date:

    July 28, 1978

    U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Machinery Technician Third Class Marshall C. Bagby, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the night of 28 July 1978 when he rescued a woman from drowning in the pounding surf of Lake Erie at the Lorain, Ohio Harbor Outer Break wall. Upon receipt of a distress call from a disabled pleasure craft, Petty Officer Bagby was dispatched from Coast Guard Station Lorain as boat engineer of Coast Guard rescue boat CG-41391. Arriving on scene, the pleasure craft was observed foundering on the break wall rocks. Of the six persons on board, four had reached the relative safety of the break wall, one had disappeared in the breaking surf, and one woman remained in the water. Petty Officer Bagby assisted in throwing a life ring to the woman, but the 20 to 30-mile per hour winds, darkness, and heavy seas prevented her form grasping it. Realizing that the woman’s strength was waning, Petty Officer Bagby, with complete disregard for his personal safety, immediately entered the water with a life ring and swam through the pounding 6 to 8-foot waves to her. As he attempted to support the woman in the turbulent water, a large breaker tore the life ring from his grasp. Successive waves drove Petty Officer Bagby against the break wall rocks, as he maintained his hold on the woman until the boat was able to maneuver close enough to again pass a life ring to him. After being pulled to safety, Petty Officer Bagby, although near exhaustion, immediately commenced treating the woman for shock and later assisted in evacuating the remaining four survivors. Petty Officer Bagby 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.