Honoring Heroism in Alaska, America’s Last Frontier

The Coast Guard Foundation Alaska Awards Dinner was attended by political leaders, local business and maritime industry executives, Coast Guard leaders and members, and supporters of the service.

The tribute to the Coast Guard highlighted the July 7, 2024, rescue of a 56-year-old man and his son when their 20-foot boat swamped near Narrow Cape, Alaska. After flying 45 minutes to the estimated location of the accident, the helicopter crew was faced with only 300 yards of visibility due to intense fog. With rescuers and survivors unable to see each other, search planners established a three-way conference call with the man, themselves, and the helicopter crew. 

This commenced a life-and-death version of Marco Polo to vector the aircraft to the survivors. The man, who was rapidly becoming hypothermic, relayed by cell phone whether the sound of the helicopter’s engines was getting louder or quieter. Painstakingly, the helicopter crept nearer to the two survivors based on this information, until the crew had the survivors in sight. Both were hoisted into the helicopter, transported back to Air Station Kodiak, and transferred to emergency medical personnel

Alaska’s congressional leaders were also out in force to support the service. U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan attended, as did Mary Sattler Peltola, U.S. Congresswoman from Alaska.

Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Linda Fagan was the keynote speaker and thanked the Foundation and supporters for their efforts on behalf of the Coast Guard workforce. 

The Coast Guard Foundation thanks all who sponsored and attended the event, which raised more than $280,000 for programs that support Coast Guard members and families. Special thanks to lead sponsor JAG Alaska and major sponsors Austal USA, ConocoPhillips, TOTE, and Trident Seafoods.

Title image: Coast Guard helicopter pilots Lt. Cmdr. Caitlyn Gever and Lt. Cmdr. Catherine Cantu and Operations Specialists First Class Casey Youngs and Matthew Siems receive the 2024 Coast Guard Foundation Award for the rescue of two men near Narrow Cape, Alaska, on July 7, 2024. Also pictured are U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, U.S. Congresswoman Mary Sattler Peltola, Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan, senior Coast Guard leaders, and Coast Guard Foundation Senior Vice President Brad Sisley.