The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Seaman Apprentice Carol A. James, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the night of 30 August 1991 while serving as a crewmember of Utility Boat Commanding General-41439. During this period, Seaman Apprentice James was engaged in maintaining a safety zone around a barge being used as a platform for a fireworks display at Northeast Harbor, Maine. During the display, sparks from the launched fireworks ignited stockpiled pyrotechnics on the deck of the barge, resulting in a tremendous explosion. The explosion forced three persons into the water; another person was apparently unconscious and was ablaze, and a fifth person remained on the barge, sheltered behind a 55-gallon drum. Seaman Apprentice James quickly grabbed a life ring and threw it overboard towards one of the persons in the water, then tossed a heaving line to another as Commanding General-41439 maneuvered closer to the burning barge. She helped pull the survivors safely onboard the boat and then without regard to her own safety, she leaped aboard the still burning barge to assist in the evacuation of the two persons from the barge onto the small boat. When a second, more powerful explosion occurred, Seaman Apprentice James rushed to the aid of a wounded crewmember, and after determining the extent of his injury, assisted him back to the well-deck. When Commanding General-41439 arrived at Northeast Harbor, she assisted in transferring the survivors to medical authorities. Seaman Apprentice James demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger. Her courage and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.