Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Coast Guard Medal

    Service:

    United States Coast Guard

    Rank:

    Apprentice Seaman

    Action Date:

    December 19, 1971

    U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Apprentice Seaman Morgan D. Hightower, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the afternoon of 19 December 1971 while serving as a crewman aboard small boat Number One of U.S.C.G.C. MINNETONKA (WHEC 67), engaged in the perilous rescue of his shipmate from the waters of the North Pacific Ocean. When U.S.C.G.C. MINNETONKA small boat Number One was returning from boat drills, the coxswain began experiencing trouble with the control linkage and could not effectively control engine speed. As a crewman was hauling the messenger line aboard, the engine control linkage failed to operate and he was directed to cast off the line. While out-hauling the sea painter messenger, the crewman’s foot became caught in the bight of the line and he was pulled into the ocean beneath the waves by the forward motion of the ship an the weight of the sea painter. Seaman Hightower realized his shipmate’s peril and, with complete disregard for his own safety, immediately dived into the ocean and reached his shipmate before he had been dragged too far beneath the sea. When they came to the surface the other crewmen on the small boat cut the line and pulled both men aboard. During the rescue operation both men were in grave danger of being struck by the small boat’s propeller and being injured by the boat which was rolling quite heavily in the wind-swept seas. Seaman Hightower demonstrated remarkable initiative, fortitude and great courage in spited of imminent personal danger throughout the entire rescue. His unselfish actions and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.