The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Kevin J. Galvin, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the day of 13 October 1982 while serving as coxswain of Coast Guard Motor Life Boat (MLB) 44315 engaged in a rescue operation at the entrance to the Merrimac River, Newburyport, Massachusetts. Upon notification that a small boat had capsized _ mile north of the north jetty with 2 people in the water, the MLB was dispatched. Demonstrating exceptional seamanship, Petty Officer GALVIN guided the MLB across the river bar and headed into the 15-foot breaking seas. Arriving on scene Petty Officer Galvin maneuvered his vessel as close as possible to people in the water, but due to the breaking seas and close proximity to the jetty, he made the decision to use a swimmer. With Petty Officer Galvin’s expert boat handling, he held the vessel into the breaking seas while his crewmen rescued the 2 survivors. Petty Officer Galvin’s seamanship, judgment, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.