MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 3rd Class Austin Maddox, a native of Washingtonville, New York, serving the Navy at Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 in California, received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal on Jan. 12 for rescuing an injured surfer.
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Builder 3rd Class Austin Maddox (right) with NMCB-3, receives a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal from Capt. Tony Holmes, commanding officer of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, onboard Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme, California, on Jan. 12. (U.S. Navy Photo by Esthela McKenzie) |
Maddox was surfing at Silver Strand Beach in November when he saw two other surfers collide, leaving one of them unconscious. Maddox and another surfer brought the injured person to shore. Maddox retrieved a first aid kit from his vehicle and applied pressure to the injured surfer’s wound, while directing other bystanders in first aid procedures until the fire department arrived.
“I was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for being at the right place at the right time,” said Maddox. “I was able to help, with others, a downed surfer off the beach and render first aid until medical help arrived.”
Maddox graduated from Washingtonville High School in 2021. Additionally, Maddox will earn a bachelor’s degree from Oxnard College later this year.
Maddox joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Maddox serves as a builder.
NMCB-3, one of the Navy’s three original construction battalions authorized in 1942, is homeported in Port Hueneme, California, where 650 personnel provide engineering and construction support to naval and joint forces around the world.
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence.
According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
As Maddox and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy and protecting the American way of life.
More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/.