The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Coast Guard Medal to Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Richard A. Harshfield, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the afternoon of 20 September 1980 while serving as coxswain of surf rescue boat (SRB) 30201. During this period he was engaged in the rescue of personnel from the charter boat NANCY H which had capsized and broken up while attempting to cross the Tillamook Bay bar. Dispatched from Coast Guard Station Tillamook Bay, Master Chief Petty Officer Harshfield arrived on scene and spotted two persons in the debris-strewn 15-foot seas. Displaying expert seamanship, Master Chief Petty Officer Harshfield maneuvered the SRB alongside the victims and assisted his crewman in recovering them from the water. At one point, as the second survivor was entering the SRB, a 20-foot breaker crashed over the boat and onto the stern. With the survivors safely on board, Master Chief Petty Officer Harshfield quickly proceeded to safer water and assumed the duties of on-scene-commander. He immediately began directing two motor lifeboats and a Coast Guard helicopter while piloting his own SRB in the turbulent seas. Noting that one of the survivors he had rescued was suffering from shock and exposure, Master Chief Petty Officer Harshfield ensured that proper medical treatment was being administered and returned to shore where medical authorities were waiting. Master Chief Petty Officer Harshfield demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger during this rescue. His unselfish actions, courage and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United Sates Coast Guard.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Coast Guard Medal
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Coast Guard Medal
Service:
United States Coast GuardRank:
Master Chief Boatswain’s MateAction Date:
July 4, 1980
U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s OfficeThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Richard A. Harshfield, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the morning of 4 July 1980 while serving as a crewmember of Motor Life Boat CG-44409 from Coast Guard Station Tillamook Bay, Oregon. During this period he assisted in the rescue of 4 men from a capsized small pleasure craft in turbulent surf in the entrance to Tillamook Bay. The boat had dashed around the tip of the north entrance jetty, directly into the path of a 15 to 18-foot breaking sea. The boat capsized. Two of the four occupants were hurled through the windshield before being thrown into the turbulent sea. CG-44409, on station as a safety boat during an escort operation, was in position one wave behind the capsized boat and was directed to attempt to make the pickup. The coxswain skillfully maneuvered the MLB alongside the capsized boat, which resulted in the bow of the MLB being less than 50 to 75 feet from the rocks of the jetty with the stern facing into the breakers. Stationed in the well deck to pick up survivors, and with seas crashing over the stern threatening to wash him overboard, Petty Officer Harshfield continuously helped to provide maneuvering instructions to the coxswain to enable him to keep the MLB alongside the people in the water and also off the jetty rocks. Three of the victims were brought onboard the MLB; however, the fourth person’s leg was caught in the wreckage of the capsized boat. Calmly and professionally, Petty Officer Harshfield and two other MLB crew members freed the victim’s leg from the debris just as the distressed vessel sank. With all four survivors safely onboard, the MLB returned to Station Tillamook. Petty Officer Harshfield demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger during this rescue. His unselfish actions, courage, and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.