WARRENTON, Ore. — The Coast Guard is scheduled to present the Coast Guard Medal to a rescue swimmer stationed at Sector Columbia River during a ceremony held in the sector's helicopter hangar, Monday.
Chief Petty Officer Michael Spencer, an aviation survival technician, will be honored in recognition for his rescue efforts of two fellow first responders during search and rescue operations in the punch bowl at Cape Kiwanda, Feb. 1, 2016.
The Coast Guard Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces who, while serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.
The act in which Spencer is being recognized for happened when his helicopter crew responded to the report of a teenage girl falling off a cliff into the ocean. Shortly after arriving on scene the aircrew witnessed first responders from North Lincoln County get tossed off a personal watercraft and sled by a series of large waves. Spencer descended 80 feet from the hovering helicopter into violent surf to rescue the two men in the water. After the rescues of the first responders the aircrew continued with the search efforts for the teenage girl. Unfortunately the girl was not located and the search was called off the next day.
Feb. 1, 2016 Cape Kiwanda search and rescue news release
Video of Cape Kiwanda rescue
"It is an honor to be able to present this prestigious award to a quality and heroic Coast Guardsman who would be the first to say it was a team effort and would give first recognition to the pilots and the flight mechanic aboard that helicopter," said Capt. William Timmons, commander, Sector Columbia River. "Chief Spencer does not do this job for fame and recognition, but because he loves the job, the people he serves with and what the service stands for."
Media interested in attending are requested to RSVP with Petty Officer 1st Class Levi Read at 206-819-9154. Media is requested to arrive by 12:30 p.m.
WHO: Capt. William Timmons, commander, Sector Columbia River; Chief Petty Officer Michael Spencer WHAT: Presentation of the Coast Guard Medal WHEN: Nov. 21, 2016 at 1 p.m. WHERE:Coast Guard Sector Columbia River2185 SE 12th PlaceWarrenton, OR 97146Helicopter Hangar