Country United States Established 20 June 1874 | Eligibility Open | |
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Awarded for Rescuing, or endeavoring to rescue, any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other perils of the water. Total awarded 600+ Gold Lifesaving Medals1,900+ Silver Lifesaving Medals | ||
The Gold Lifesaving Medal and Silver Lifesaving Medal are U.S. decorations issued by the United States Coast Guard. The awards were first established by Act of Congress, 20 June 1874; later authorized by 14 U.S.C. § 500. These decorations are two of the oldest medals in the United States and were originally established at the Department of Treasury as Lifesaving Medals First and Second Class. The Department of the Treasury initially gave the award, but today the United States Coast Guard awards it through the Department of Homeland Security. They are not classified as military decorations, and may be awarded to any person.
Contents
History
A British Sea Gallantry Medal for saving life was authorized in 1854. Twenty years later in the United States the Gold and Silver Lifesaving Medals were first authorized in an Act (18 Stat 125, 43rd Congress) that furthered the United States Life-Saving Service. The Secretary of the Treasury was directed, among other provisions of the act, to create "medals of honor", to be distinguished as life-saving medals of the first and second class, and bestow them upon any persons who endanger their own lives in saving, or endeavoring to save lives from perils of the sea, within the United States, or upon any American vessel.
The Lifesaving Medals have had three designs in their history. The original design in 1874 was "non-portable" and could not be worn by the recipient, but rather displayed much like a trophy. In 1882 the design was changed so that the medal was suspended from a two inch wide ribbon. The ribbon was red for the Gold Lifesaving Medal and light blue for the Silver Lifesaving medal. Finally on 4 August 1949 the medals and ribbons were reduced in size so that they were more proportionate to medals awarded by the U.S. Armed Forces. The ribbons were also redesigned to have multiple colors.
The laws governing the awarding of medal were amended over the years, and is currently awarded by the Coast Guard. The Commandant of the Coast Guard makes the final determination in authorizing the award.
"The Gold Lifesaving Medal or the Silver Lifesaving Medal may be awarded to any person who rescues or endeavors to rescue any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other perils of the water. The rescue or attempted rescue must either take place in waters within the U.S. or subject to the jurisdiction thereof, or one or the other of the parties must be a citizen of the U.S. or from a vessel or aircraft owned or operated by citizens of the U.S."
The Lifesaving Medal is issued in two grades, being silver and gold. "The Gold Lifesaving Medal may be awarded to an individual who performed a rescue or attempted rescue at the risk of his or her own life, and demonstrates extreme and heroic daring. The Silver Lifesaving Medal may be awarded to an individual who performed a rescue or attempted rescue where the circumstances do not sufficiently distinguish the individual to deserve the medal of gold, but demonstrate such extraordinary effort as to merit recognition. If neither the Gold nor Silver Lifesaving Medal is appropriate, then a Certificate of Valor or an appropriate Coast Guard Public Service Award may be considered."
Until the mid-20th century, the Lifesaving Medal was often bestowed upon members of the military; however in recent times the decoration has become somewhat rare. This is due primarily to the creation of a variety of additional military decorations that are often considered more prestigious than the Lifesaving Medal. The United States Navy often issues the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, instead of the Lifesaving Medal, for sea rescues involving risk of life. "Military personnel serving on active duty would normally not be recommended for Gold and Silver Lifesaving Medals; however, military personnel may be recommended for a Lifesaving Medal if the act of heroism was performed while the individual was in a leave or liberty status. In all other circumstances, a military award should be considered." The Lifesaving Medal is authorized for wear on U.S. military uniforms.
The Lifesaving Medal is unusual among U.S. medals because it is actually struck from precious metal, silver or gold.
Multiple awards of the Lifesaving Medal are denoted by award stars on the decoration’s ribbon and a gold clasp, inscribed with the recipient’s name, is worn on the actual medal.
Since 1874, more than 600 Gold Lifesaving Medals and more than 1,900 Silver Lifesaving Medals have been awarded.
Gold Medal
Gold Lifesaving Medal awardees
Note: The listing below was derived from a listing of United States Coast Guard (USCG), Revenue Cutter Service (USRCS), Life Saving Service (USLSS) and Light House Service (USLHS) personnel awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal. There are other recipients who were civilians or members of other branches of service which have been added as well as others not listed below.
Date of Rescue: 1854 and 1856
Date of Award: 14 May 1888 (Special Act of Congress); Awardee: Captain Thomas Sampson, Chief Detective, U.S. Sub-Treasury, New York. (Also awarded the Silver Lifesaving Medal.)
Date of Rescue: 10 October 1877
Station: Joseph LSS, MI (Station No. 10, Eleventh District), Date of Award: 1 May 1878, Awardee: Joseph Napier
Date of Rescue: 11 September 1878
Station: Charlotte LSS, NY, Date of Award: 2 August 1879, Awardee: Joseph O. Doyle
Date of Rescue: 1 April 1879
Station: Nantucket LSS, MA, Date of Award: 10 May 1879, Awardee: Thomas F. Sandsbury
Date of Rescue: 4 April 1879
Station: Cape Cod LSS, MA Date of Award: 10 November 1879 Awardee: Isaac F. Mayo
Date of Rescue: 20 November 1879
Station: Glen Arbor LSS, MI, Date of Award: 8 April 1880, Awardees: John Blanchfield, William A. Clark, W.C. Ray, Charles A. Rosman, John Tobin
Date of Rescue: 3 February 1880
Station: Monmouth Beach, NJ (Station No. 4, Fourth District), Dte of Award: 18 June 1880 Awardees: Charles H. Valentine, Garrett H. White, Nelson Lockwood, Benjamin C. Potter, William H. Ferguson, John Van Brunt
Date of Rescue: 3 February 1880
Station: Swan Point LSS, NJ (Station No. 11, Fourth District) Date of Award: 10 June 1881 Awardees: William H. Brower, William L. Chadwick, Abner R. Clayton, David B. Clayton, David B. Fisher, Charles W. Flemming, Abner Herbert, Demarest T. Herbert, Abram J. Jones, Britton C. Miller, Isaac Osborn, Louis Truex
Date of Rescue: 3 February 1880
Station: Green Island LSS, NJ (Station No. 11, Fourth District) Date of Award: 10 June 1881 Awardees: William P. Chadwick, John Flemming, James Numan, Tylee C. Pearce, Charles Seaman, Peter Sutfin, Benjamin Turex, William Vannote
Date of Rescue: 23 April 1880
Station: Point au Barques LSS, MI (Station No. 2, Tenth District) Date of Award: ? Awardee: Jerome G. Kiah
Date of Rescue: 4 February 1881
Station: Lime Rock Lighthouse Station, RI, Date of Award: 16 July 1881, Awardee: Ida Lewis, Keeper, U.S. Lighthouse Service (First award to a woman.)
Date of Rescue: 31 October 1884
Station: Cleveland LSS, OH (Station No. 8, Ninth District) Date of Award: 3 December 1884 Awardees: Lawrence Distel, John L. Eveleigh, Joseph Goodrof, Charles C. Goodwin, William Goodwin, Frederick T. Hatch, Delos Hayden, Charles Learned, Jay Lindsay
Date of Rescue: 22 December 1884
Station: Creed's Hill LSS, NC (Station No. 22, Sixth District) Date of Award: 24 April 1885 Awardee: Patrick H. Etheridge
Date of Rescue: 22 December 1884
Station: Cape Hatteras LSS, NC (Station 23, Sixth District) Date of Award: 24 April 1885 Awardees: Benjamin B. Dailey, Charles Fulcher, Thomas Gray, Isaac Jennett, Jabez B. Jennett, John H. Midgett
Date of Rescue: 28 January 1885
Station: Cape Elizabeth LSS, ME; Date of Award: Unknown; Awardee: Keeper Marcus A. Hanna, USLHS
Date of Rescue: 27 July 1885
Station: Shark River LSS, NJ (Station No. 7, Fourth District) Date of Award: 3 February 1887 Awardee: John C. Patterson
Date of Rescue: 25 November 1888
Station: Hull LSS, MA Date of Award: 10 January 1889 Awardees: Joseph T. Galiano, Louis F. Galiano, Joshua James, Osceola F. James, Alonzo L. Mitchell, Ambrose B. Mitchell, H. Webster Mitchell, John L. Mitchell, Eben T. Pope, George F. Pope, Frederick Smith
Date of Rescue: 26 November 1888
Station: Jerry's Point LSS, NH Date of Award: 10 January 1889 Awardees: Winslow A. Amazeen, Ephraim S. Hall, Silas H. Harding, George W. Randall, Ernest Robinson, John Smith, Selden F. Wells
Date of Rescue: 22 December 1888
Station: San Francisco LSS, CA Date of Award: 6 February 1892 Awardee: John Regnier
Date of Rescue: 28 November 1889
Station: Evanston LSS, IL Date of Award: 17 October 1890 Awardees: George Crosby, William Ewing, Edson B. Fowler, Frank W. Kindig, Lawrence O. Lawson, Jacob Loining, William L. Wilson
Date of Rescue: 26 October 1890
Station: Cleveland Breakwater Light Station, OH Date of Award: 26 February 1891 Awardee: Frederick T. Hatch, Keeper, U.S.L.H.S.
Date of Rescue: 21 January 1892
Station: Coskata LSS, MA Date of Award: 2 April 1892 Awardee: Walter N. Chase
Date of Rescue: 24 February 1892
Station: Hog Island LSS, VA (Station No. 9, Fifth District) Date of Award: 21 March 1892 Awardee: John E. Johnson
Date of Rescue: 19 April 1893
Station: Milwaukee LSS, WI Date of Award: 24 May 1893 Awardee: Ingar Olsen
Date of Rescue: 11 October 1896
Station: Pea Island LSS, NC (Station No. 17, Sixth District) Date of Award: 5 March 1996 Awardees: Benjamin Bowser, Richard Etheridge, William Irving, Theodore Meekins, Dorman Pugh, Lewis Wescott, Stanley Wise (all African-Americans)
Date of Rescue: 22-23 November 1896
Station: Point Arena Light Station, CA Date of Award: 17 October 1899 Awardees: Jefferson M. Brown, Keeper, U.S.L.H.S.
Date of Rescue: 18 August 1899
Station: Gull Shoal LSS, NC, Date of Award: 18 October 1899, Awardee: Rasmus S. Midgett
Date of Rescue: 8 September 1900
Station: USRC Galveston Date of Award: 18 September 1902 Awardees: James Bierman, U.S.R.C.S.; Charles S. Root, U.S.R.C.S.
Date of Rescue: 21 November 1900
Station: Buffalo LSS, NY (Station No. 5, Ninth District), Date of Award: 23 February 1901, Awardee: W. W. Griesser
Date of Rescue: 21 December 1900
Station: Dam Neck Hills LSS, VA Date of Award: 7 October 1901 Awardee: Bailey T. Barco
Date of Rescue: 17 March 1902
Station: Monomoy LSS, MA Date of Award: 28 March 1902 Awardee: Seth L. Ellis
Date of Rescue: 15 December 1902
Station: Charlotte LSS, NY (Station No. 4, Ninth District) Date of Award: 3 January 1903 Awardees: Frank B. Chapman, W. Vernon Downing, Charles Eastwood, Mial E. Eggleston, George N. Gray, George E. Henderson, Ira S. Palmer, Delbert Rose, Lester D. Seymour
Date of Rescue: 21 January 1903
Station: Shipbottom LSS, NJ Date of Award: 22 October 1903 Awardees: C. V. Conklin, J. Horace Cranmer, B. P. Pharo, Walter Pharo, A. B. Salmons, Isaac W. Truex
Date of Rescue: 21 January 1903
Station: Long Beach LSS, NJ Date of Award: 22 October 1903 Awardees: M. D. Kelly, George Mathis, W. E. Pharo
Date of Rescue: 13 June 1903
Station: Squan Beach LSS, NJ (Station No. 9, Fourth District) Date of Award: 15 January 1904 Awardee: Robert F. Longstreet
Date of Rescue: 24 July 1903
Station: Sakonnet Light Station, RI, Date of Award: 23 June 1904, Awardee: Nils Nelson, Keeper, U.S. Lighthouse Service
Date of Rescue: 10 October 1903
Station: Virginia Beach LSS, VA Date of Award: 15 January 1904 Awardee: W. N. Capps
Date of Rescue: 22 January 1904
Station: Quogue LSS, NY, Date of Award: ?, Awardees: Surfman William F. Halsey, Jr., Surfman Frank D. Warner
Date of Rescue: 22 February 1904
Station: Blue Point LSS, NY Date of Award: 15 January 1905 Awardees: Arthur Latham, Frank D. Raynor
Date of Rescue: 10 February 1905
Station: Cape Lookout LSS, NC Date of Award: 12 April 1905 Awardees: James W. Fulcher, William H. Gaskill, John A. Guthrie, Kilby Guthrie, Calupt T. Jarvis, John F. Kirkman, Joseph L. Lewis, Tyre Moore, Walter M. Voemans
Date of Rescue: 1 December 1905
Station: Sand Island Light Station; Date of Award: 21 May 1906; Awardee: Niels Nilsen, Keeper, U.S.L.H.S.
Date of Rescue: 29 November 1909
Station: Cape Hatteras LSS, NC Date of Award: 6 December 1911 Awardee: B. B. Miller
Date of Rescue: 29 November 1909
Station: Creed's Hill LSS, NC Date of Award: 6 December 1911 Awardee: E. H. Peel
Date of Rescue: 28 August 1911
Station: Unknown, Date of Award: 28 March 1912, Awardee: Third Lieutenant S. S. Yeandle, U.S.R.C.S.
Date of Rescue: 30 December 1912
Station: Tathams LSS, NJ Date of Award: 16 April 1913 Awardees: Ridgeway G. Cobb, Richard Cresse, William A. Eckersley, William S. Eldridge, John K. Mathis, Harry McGinley, Samuel Morton, Frank Nichols, Adelbert Robbins, John E. Treworgy, Earl S. Woolson, Charles Wright, Jr.
Date of Rescue: 7 January 1913
Station: Point Adams LSS, OR Date of Award: 14 April 1913 Awardees: Bernard C. Anderson, Thomas Anderson, P. A. De Kruis, John Doty, Ole Ericksen, Charles Johnson, Edward Johnson, Robert Nagel, Rudolph A. Pajoman, Charles E. Pearson, Leonard Pearson, Carl W. Petterson, Alfred Rimer, Theodore Roberge, Robert Therand, Charles A. Tucker, Oscar S. Wicklund
Date of Rescue: 8 November 1913
Station: Portage LSS, MI Date of Award: 15 July 1914 Awardees: John C. Alfsen, Paul Liedtke, Oscar Marshall, Thomas H. McCormick, John McDonald, David M. Small, Fred C. Sollman, Collin L. Westrope
Date of Rescue: 8 November 1913
Station: Eagle Harbor LSS, MI Date of Award: 15 July 1914 Awardees: Serge Anderson, John Beck, Thomas W. Bennetts, Anthony F. Glaza, George Halpainen, Charles Kumpula, Henry Padberg, Charles A. Tucker, Chester O. Tucker
Date of Rescue: 23 November 1914
Station: Fort Point LSS, CA Date of Award: 13 April 1915 Awardee: John L. Clark
Date of Rescue: 23 November 1914
Station: Point Bonita LSS, CA Date of Award: 13 April 1915 Awardees: Michael Maxwell, Joseph L. Nutter
Note - In 1915 the Revenue Cutter Service and the Life Saving Service merged to form the United States Coast Guard. Unless, otherwise indicated, all awardees listed after 1915 are Coast Guard personnel.
Date of Rescue: 15 January 1918
Station: USS North Dakota Date of Award: ? Awardees: CDR Henry C. Mustin, USN
Date of Rescue: 16 August 1918
Station: Chicamacomico LBS, NC Date of Award: 20 August 1924 Awardees: John A. Midgett, Zion S. Midgett, Arthur V. Midgett, Leroy S. Midgett, Clarence E. Midgett, Prochorus L. O'Neal
Date of Rescue: 16 September 1918
Station: UCGC Seneca Date of Award: 16 May 1919 Awardee: Coxswain James Osborne
Date of Rescue: 28 April 1919
Station: USS Marietta, Date of Award: 5 January 1920, Awardee: Captain Harry G. Hamlet, USCG
Date of Rescue: 14 November 1919
Station: Grand Marais LBS, MI Date of Award: 3 June 1920 Awardees: John O. Anderson, Alfred E. Kristofferson, Leon E. Alford, George Olsen, Glen Wells, Edward J. Spencer, Russell Martin, William Campbell, Joseph G. McShea
Date of Rescue: 14 March 1920
Station: USCGC Acushnet; Date of Award: 11 May 1920; Awardees: LCDR James Pine, USCG, Charles Hansen
Date of Rescue: 14 February 1923
Station: USCGC Snohomish Date of Award: 28 September 1928 Awardee: LCDR Henry G. Hemingway, USCG
Date of Rescue: 28-29 October 1923
Station: Panama Canal Zone Date of Award: ? Awardee: Sheppard J. Shreaves (civilian)
Date of Rescue: 7 July 1924
Station: USCGC Mascoutin, Date of Award: 24 October 1924, Awardees: John S. Baylis, Thomas W. Coker
Date of Rescue: 8 November 1925
Station: USLHT Columbine Date of Award: 16 February 1927 Awardee: Norman C. Manyon, Keeper, U.S. Lighthouse Service
Date of Rescue: 26 August 1924
Station: Ocean City LBS, MD Date of Award: 11 June 1925 Awardee: BMC(L) Thomas F. Moore
Date of Rescue: 16 November 1926
Station: CG-213 Date of Award: 24 May 1927 Awardee: BM(T) William C. Hart
Date of Rescue: 5 March 1928
Station: USCGC Raritan Date of Award: 30 June 1928 Awardee: Paul R. Kelliher
Date of Rescue: 10 November 1929
Station: Coast Guard Seaplane No. 3 Date of Award: 23 April 1930 Awardee: Machinist William R. Kinley
Date of Rescue: 1 January 1933
Station: Coast Guard Seaplane Arcturus, CG Air Station, Miami Date of Award: 17 April 1933 Awardees: Carl C. von Paulsen, William L. Foley, ACMM James R. Orndorff, Jr., AMM1 William D. Pinkston, RM3 Thomas S. McKenzie
Date of Rescue: 22 August 1933
Station: CG-112, Base Nine, Cape May, NJ Date of Award: 26 April 1934 Awardees: John A. Glynn, BMC William J. Kelley, BM1 Stanley F. Rogers, MoMM1 Aldbert Fagerholm, MoMM2 Edward J. Recotta, SN2 Frank J. Pfingston, MoMM1 Miller L. West, Cook Charles R. Neblett
Date of Rescue: 24 March 1935
Station: Point Adams LBS, OR Date of Award: 25 April 1936 Awardee: MoMM2 Lynn M. Clapp
Date of Rescue: 8 February 1936
Station: Charlevoix LBS, MI Date of Award: 28 April 1936 Awardee: BM2 Earl Cunningham
Date of Rescue: 22 June 1937
Station: USCGC Pontchartrain Date of Award: 15 September 1937 Awardee: BM2 Albert Lees
Date of Rescue: 7 May 1937
Station: Gray's Harbor LBS, WA Date of Award: 20 September 1937 Awardees: BN(L) Hilman J. Persson, MoMM1(L) Roy I. Anderson, MoMM1 Jesse W. Mathews, Surfman Daneil E. Hamaleinen, Surfman Roy N. Woods
Date of Rescue: 10 May 1937
Station: Coast Guard Seaplane V-131, CG Air Station San Diego Date of Award: 3 August 1937 Awardee: LT Stanley C. Linholm, USCG
Date of Rescue: 26 March 1938
Station: MLB Triumph, Point Adams LBS, OR Date of Award: 7 November 1938 Awardee: BN(L) John F. McCormick
Date of Rescue: 21 September 1938
Station: Woods Hole LBS, MA, Date of Award: 23 January 1939, Awardees: SN1 Charles G. Starling, RM3 John A. Steadman
Date of Rescue: 23 December 1938
Station: USCGC Haida Date of Award: 1 November 1945 Awardee: ENS Glenn L. Rollins
Date of Rescue: 3 December 1939
Station: Point Bonita LBS, CA Date of Award: 30 April 1940 Awardee: BMC Cecil M. Thomas
Date of Rescue: 14 & 15 October 1947
Station: USCGC Bibb Date of Award: 10 November 1947 Awardees: LTJG Clarence S. Hall, BM1 Ralph J. Keller
Date of Rescue: 11 August 1947
Station: USS Henley (DD-762) Date of Award: 3 December 1947 Awardee: SN2 Richard C. Gillett
Date of Rescue: 2 September 1947
Station: USCGC McCulloch Date of Award: 2 March 1948 Awardee: BM1 Marion K. Reynolds
Date of Rescue: 11 September 1949
Station: Point Montara Light Station, CA Date of Award: 20 March 1950 Awardee: SA Leonard Wisniewski
Date of Rescue: 5 April 1951
Station: St. George's Reef Light Station, CA Date of Award: 31 March 1952 Awardee: BMC Fred Permenter
Date of Rescue: 28 May 1951
Station: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary]] Flotilla 78 Date of Award: 27 June 1952 Awardee: Erick Lundberg, USCG AUX
Date of Rescue: 18 February 1952
Station: Chatham LBS, MA Date of Award: 7 May 1952 Awardees: BM1 Bernard C. Webber, EN2(P) Andrew J. Fitzgerald, SN Richard P. Livesey, SN Ervin E. Mask
Date of Rescue: 18 & 19 February 1952
Station: USCGC Yakutat Date of Award: 7 May 1952 Awardee: ENS William R. Kiely, Jr.
Date of Rescue: 18 January 1953
Station: Coast Guard Air Detachment Sangley Point, Philippine Islands Date of Award: 16 November 1955 Awardees: LT John Vukic, LTJG Gerald W. Steward, ADC Joseph M. Miller, Jr., ALC Winfield J. Hammond, AL1 Carl R. Tornell, AO1 Joseph R. Bridge, AD3 Tracy W. Miller, AM3 Robert F. Hewitt
Date of Rescue: 15 December 1955
Station: Plum Island Light Station, NY Date of Award: 1 April 1957 Awardee: SN Sherwood R. Anderson
Date of Rescue: 23 June 1957
Station: Yaquina Bay LBS, OR Date of Award: 30 January 1958 Awardee: FN James R. Dean, BMC Thomas. D. McAdams
Date of Rescue: 19 February 1960
Station: Cape Elizabeth LBS, ME Date of Award: 7 July 1960 Awardee: Leon E. Minzy
Date of Rescue: 12 January 1961
Station: Point Adams LBS Date of Award: 25 June 1962 Awardee: BM1 John L. Culp
Date of Rescue: 12 January 1961
Station: Cape Disappointment LBS, WA Date of Award: 25 June 1962 Awardee: SN-BM Larry B. Edwards
Date of Rescue: 14 September 1961
Station: Grand Haven South Pierhead Light Station, MI Date of Award: 18 May 1962 Awardee: BM2 David E. Sparks
Date of Rescue: 1 June 1962
Station: Quillayute River LBS, WA Date of Award: 20 March 1963 Awardee: BM1 John C. Webb
Date of Rescue: 2 December 1965
Station: Coast Guard Base Detroit, MI Date of Award: 11 March 1966 Awardee: SN Dennis R. Bauer
Date of Rescue: 29 April 1968
Station: USCGC McLane, Date of Award: 16 January 1969, Awardees: SN John R. McGowan, SN Richard E. Geise
Date of Rescue: 5 October 1969
Station: ? Date of Award: 22 February 1973 Awardee: Petty Officer James P. Grier
Date of Rescue: 18 April 1993
Station: ? Date of Award: 7 October 1993 Awardee: PA1 Gary A. Openshaw
Date of Rescue: 10 September 1994
Station: ? Date of Award: 27 February 1995 Awardee: CPO George B. Evans
Date of Rescue: 26 November 1995
Station: Cape Disappointment USCGS; Date of Award: 7 June 1996; Awardee: Petty Officer Michael E. Early
Date of Rescue: 27 May 1996
Station: ? Date of Award: 24 January 1997 Awardee: Petty Officer Kevin S. DeGroot
Date of Rescue: 6 April 1997
Station: CG-41351 Date of Award: 15 May 1997 Awardee: Frank Mauro, USCG AUX