Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Coast Guard Medal

    Service:

    United States Coast Guard

    Rank:

    Seaman

    Action Date:

    May 9, 1999

    U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Seaman William R. Culnon, United States Coast Guard, for heroism at the risk of life on 9 May 1999, for his efforts following a landslide at Sacred Falls State Park, Oahu, Hawaii. At the time, Seaman Culnon was stationed as a seaman on the Coast Guard Cutter JARVIS, homeported in Honolulu. He and three other JARVIS crewmembers were hiking in the park when the landslide occurred, dumping tons of rocks on dozens of hikers and campers. The catastrophic event killed eight people and injured many others. The four Jarvis crew members demonstrated a total disregard for their own personal safety by re-entering the landslide area to offer assistance. Culnon lifted a man from the water who had a compound fracture of the lower leg and was struggling to stay afloat. He safely carried this man more than two miles to assistance. In addition he rendered first aid and offered comfort to others who were injured.