Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Coast Guard Medal

    Service:

    United States Coast Guard

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    March 5, 1994

    U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Lieutenant Alda Siebrands, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the morning of 5 March 1994 while serving as Aircraft Commander of Coast Guard HH-65A CGNR 6503 Informed of a capsized skiff in four-foot surf off Pillar Point, Washington, Lieutenant SIEBRANDS diverted from a pollution patrol and sped to the scene. Arriving 15 minutes later, the aircrew quickly recovered one victim from the 45 degree water, but found that hypothermia had rendered the other victim, a 73 year old man, unable to climb into the basket. Lieutenant SIEBRANDS, realizing that it would be impossible to recover the man without help, left her seat and jumped into the surf to rescue the helpless victim. She pulled the victim into the basket, only to have him slip from her grasp as they were hoisted. As the copilot maintained a hover perilously close to the approaching rocks, the basket, with Lieutenant SIEBRANDS in it, was repeatedly dragged under by the five knot current. She again reached the victim, pulled him into the basket, and successfully held onto him as they were hoisted. Since the combined load was too large to be brought into the helicopter, Lieutenant SIEBRANDS had to maintain her hold on the victim as the copilot hovered to a nearby sand bar and the flight mechanic lowered them to the ground. Finding no vital signs, Lieutenant SIEBRANDS performed cardio pulmonary resuscitation on the victim for 15 minutes until paramedics arrived. The victim was subsequently delivered to a local hospital in critical condition and then airlifted to a regional trauma center. Lieutenant SIEBRANDS demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger in this rescue. Her courage and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.