West Point cadet helps rescue two stranded in Hudson River

[Luigi59]

West Point cadet helps rescue two stranded in Hudson River

Last updated: 12:08 PM - 05/23/13

WEST POINT -- A West Point cadet dove in the Hudson River last night and swam out to help two stranded kayakers until rescuers arrived.

The cadet was identified as Sam Mo, Class of 2016, from Great Neck, a West Point spokesman said. .

About 10 p.m. Wednesday night, Mo learned that two kayakers were stranded in the cold, swift waters of the Hudson River offshore from the U.S. Military Academy. Mo, a member of the Army Swimming Team and a friend swam out to the kayakers and stayed with them, treading water, until a rescue boat arrived.

The pair were treated for exposure to the cold waters.

Further details were not available.

Sounds like the Coast Guard Lifesaving Medal is warranted for his actions.

CRITERIA

The Silver Lifesaving Medal is awarded by the Commandant of the Coast Guard to any person who rescues, or endeavors to rescue, any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other peril of water. To merit award of the Silver Lifesaving Medal, the rescue must involve such significant effort that it merits recognition, but not at the level recognized by the Gold Lifesaving Medal. The rescue or attempted rescue must either take place in waters within the United States or subject to its jurisdiction, or one of the parties must be a citizen of the United States or be from a vessel or aircraft owned or operated by citizens of the United States.

 

[LineInTheSand]

I'm confused. A cadet swam in cold swift water and then treaded water with two people who were in kayaks, and stayed there until help arrived? Did he actions actually save the two kayakers or did they serve to comfort them? Honestly, if he wasn't in a dry suit or gumbie, I don't know how save that was either. Last think you want if to have someone else in the water go down because it was too cold and swift. Then you have two cold people in boats and two drowned cadets.

A couple of guys a year ahead of me, while on leave, I believe, jumped off of a major pier to rescue a kid who had been pulled out by a rip tide. They grabbed the kid, and pulled him to safety. Know what they received for it? A Coast Guard Letter of Commendation... the same crummy ribbon I received for working on a blog series. I think they deserved more and I deserved less.

I would love to know more about this case though. I'm having trouble picturing exactly what happened. Nicely done cadets!

 

[Melitzank]

The West Point FB page said this:

Last night, cadets heard screaming coming from the darkness of the Hudson River. Realizing someone was in the water Class of 2016 Cadets Sam Mo, and Daniel Bleyl, both corps squad swimmers, jumped in the river as classmate Pierre Archambeau notified emergency services. They spent 20 minutes in the dark and cold river helping the two stranded civilian kayakers tread water before a power boat, operated by Pete Hanlon, the Crew Club officer in charge, along with Cpt. David Lai, an assistant coach, arrived to assist them to shore.