Marine Raider awarded medal for rescuing 2 people from drowning while on vacation

On May 28, 2020, the Marine — whose name was not released due to his assignment with Marine Forces Special Operations Command — was at Surf City beach near Camp Lejeune, North Carolina when two women approached, “pleading for someone to save a drowning boy and his father,” according to the award citation.

In spite of the rip currents, the Marine ran into the water and began swimming out toward the duo.

First reaching the boy, the Marine grabbed him and began swimming parallel to the shore, “fighting vigorously to escape the dangerous current,” according to the citation, and making sure to keep the boy’s head above water. Once clear of the current, he made his way back to shore reuniting the boy with his distraught mother.