Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Coast Guard Medal

    Service:

    United States Coast Guard

    Rank:

    Boatswain’s Mate Third Class

    Action Date:

    February 8, 1986

    U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Dominic L. Rice, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary heroism on 8 February 1986 while serving as coxswain of a Coast Guard small boat. On that afternoon, he was engaged in the rescue of 19 victims who had been thrown into the water from the fishing vessel MARY JANE, which had broached and heeled sharply as a result of 10-foot waves crashing over the vessel’s deck. Petty Officer Rice, who had just returned from a day of surfing, immediately took charge of a Coast Guard small boat and proceeded to the scene, bringing his surfboard along with him. Within minutes, the small boat was on scene. Carefully maneuvering the small boat toward Bodega Rock, Petty Officer Rice spotted the survivors in the water, between Bodega Head and Bodega Rock, desperately battling 10 to 14-foot waves. To reach the survivors quickly and to ensure the safety of his crew. Petty Officer Rice turned control of the Coast Guard Small boat over to a fellow crew ember, and without regard for his own safety, entered the water on his surfboard. Petty Officer Rice located a young boy suffering from shock and hypothermia. He quickly pulled him onto his surfboard and paddled him to safety. Returning to the scene, Petty Officer Rice found an older man trying desperately to stay afloat. He again pulled the victim onto his surfboard, and swam back to the awaiting rescue boat towing the victim behind him. Petty Officer Rice demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger in this rescue. His courage and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.