Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Coast Guard Medal

    Service:

    United States Coast Guard

    Rank:

    Boatswain’s Mate Third Class

    Action Date:

    October 3, 1994

    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 Michael Dunning, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on 3 October 1994 while serving as a crew member aboard the Coast Guard Utility Boat (UTB) CG41342, while engaged in the daring rescue of two victims from the pleasure craft DOORMAT which had capsized in four-foot seas near Montauk Point, Long Island, New York. Displaying professionalism and superior judgment, Petty Officer Dunning saved a struggling woman, trapped under the capsized vessel and her husband, who was clinging to the overturned hull. Upon arriving at the scene, the crew of CG41342 approached the man in the water to assist him. However, with his wife trapped in a small air pocket in the submerged cabin, he repeatedly refused to leave the water. The UTB crew learned that in addition to being trapped, the victim was unable to swim and tangled in the lines and debris surrounding the pleasure craft. The rescue efforts were severely affected by rapidly deteriorating weather and the victims’ increasing vulnerability to hypothermia and shock. Moreover, the air supply of the victim trapped in the hull was quickly diminishing. Grasping the gravity of the situation, Petty Officer Dunning acted quickly by donning on a rescue swimmer harness and plunging into the water to save the trapped victim. After clearing the debris surrounding the hull and making several exploratory dives, he dove and swam down and up into the cabin. Surfacing in the air pocket inside the hull, he calmed the trapped victim, removed the tangled lines, and led her out of the capsized boat to safety. Petty Officer Dunning demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger in this rescue. His courage and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.