Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Coast Guard Medal

    Service:

    United States Coast Guard

    Rank:

    Boatswain’s Mate Third Class

    Action Date:

    November 24, 2000

    U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Levi R. Denham, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary heroism on the evening of 24 November 2000 during the daring rescue of a woman from her burning mobile home. While on liberty on Thanksgiving night, Petty Officer Denham was in his yard when he noticed smoke and flames coming from his neighbor’s home. Without hesitation, Petty Officer Denham told his wife to call the fire department as he rushed to the scene. He arrived within seconds and while assessing the situation, heard a dog whimpering from inside. Not knowing what was inside, Petty Officer Denham proceeded to kick in the door allowing the dog to escape. With the trailer engulfed in smoke, Petty Officer Denham disregarded his own safety to see if anyone was inside. He courageously wrapped his shirt around his face and crawled inside the home to look for survivors. As he made his way along the living room floor in almost zero visibility, he came across a woman on the couch. He immediately pulled her out of the home and administered first aid to the breathing, but incoherent woman until emergency services personnel arrived. Undaunted by his ordeal, Petty Officer Denham then began to fight the fire with a garden hose in a valiant effort to save the family’s home. Petty Officer Denham 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.