William Turek graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut, Class of 1972. He died in 1993 in the action that earned him the Coast Guard Medal.
William Turek graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut, Class of 1972. He died in 1993 in the action that earned him the Coast Guard Medal.
Service:
Rank:
Action Date:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Coast Guard Medal (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander William B. Turek, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the afternoon of 3 March 1993 while serving as the Lead Marine Inspector aboard the Maritime Administrative vessel Cape Diamand, which was moored at Pier 1, Norfolk Shipbuilding Company, Norfolk, Virginia. Lieutenant Commander Turek was completing a week-long reactivation of the M/V CAPE DIAMOND and was intimately familiar with the vessel, especially the engineering spaces. One of the last tests prior to departure of the vessel was the carbon dioxide fire extinguishing system which protected the engine room and other spaces aboard the vessel. A test of the carbon dioxide activated alarms in the engine room. This test was designed to involve a small release of carbon dioxide into the engine room to show proper functioning of the alarms. Realizing that more than the anticipated brief puff of carbon dioxide was being released and that a prolonged discharge of carbon dioxide into the engine room was potentially lethal to those he knew were working there, Lieutenant Commander Turek disregarded his own safety and entered into the engine room to warn workers of the hazard. He immediately ordered them to evacuate. In his attempt to save others, Lieutenant Commander Turek himself became a victim of carbon dioxide asphyxiation, sacrificing his own life. Lieutenant Commander Turek demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger in this rescue attempt. His courage and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.