tankercaptain
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2012
- Messages
- 509
Congratulations to Midshipman Collin C. Putnam '15,who received the Maritime Service Professional Achievement Medal for an act of heroism today. Putnam risked his life while assigned to the USNS Grumman. He sustained numerous stab wounds and a collapsed lung as he placed himself between four assailants and his shipmate in Crete.
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION TAKES PLEASURE IN PRESENTING THE
MARITIME SERVICE PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL TO
MIDSHIPMAN FIRST CLASS COLLIN C. PUTNAM
UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
FOR SERVICE AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING CITATION:
For an act of heroism at the risk of his own life while assigned to the USNS GRUMMAN on 18 December 2013. While awaiting a bus to return to the ship from liberty in Souda Bay, Crete, Midshipman Putnam’s shipmate was ambushed, knocked unconscious, and robbed by four assailants wielding knives. Upon being alerted to the attack, Midshipman Putnam immediately and unhesitatingly placed himself between the attackers and his unconscious shipmate. By covering his shipmate’s body with his own, Midshipman Putnam absorbed the attack of the assailants and sustained numerous stab wounds, including a collapsed lung. Midshipman Putnam spent ten days in a Greek hospital recovering from his wounds and joined the USNS GRUMMAN two weeks after his release from the hospital. Midshipman Putnam’s quick actions protected his injured shipmate and dispatched all of the armed assailants. By his great courage, initiative, and selflessness, Midshipman Putnam reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Merchant Marine Academy and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Maritime Service.
