Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Coast Guard Medal

    Service:

    United States Coast Guard

    Rank:

    Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class

    Action Date:

    September 4, 1983

    U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class Michael J. Edmonson, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the morning of 4 September 1983 as radioman of Coast Guard helicopter HH-3F 1437. The helicopter departed form Air Station Kodiak with a medical team onboard and flew to Cape Ugat, Alaska to search for the fishing vessel PARKS 15 which was reported to be sinking with four persons onboard. Floating in rough, frigid water and wearing only light clothing and PFD’s, two of the vessel’s crew were found alive but incapacitated due to hypothermia while the remaining two crew members were floating face down. Exhibiting exceptional coordination and teamwork, three successful platform pickups were accomplished with Petty Officer Edmonson and the flight mechanic pulling the people into the aircraft. A fourth platform pickup was impossible due to the close proximity of the victim to the distressed vessel, so Petty Officer Edmonson volunteered to enter the water to free the entangled man and place him in the rescue basket. Donning a survival suit and securing a trail line around his waist, Petty Officer EDMONSON was towed by the helicopter to the lifeless victim. He cut the man free with great difficulty, and placed him in the rescue basket. After the victim was recovered, Petty Officer Edmonson was hoisted aboard the helicopter. He then assisted the medical team with giving CPR to the two unconscious victims. One of these, a 3 year-old girl who had been floating face down, was revived just prior to the helicopter’ arrival at Kodiak. The 50 year-old operator who Petty Officer Edmonson had risked his life to save could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Petty Officer Edmonson demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and extreme 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 Sates Coast Guard.