U.S.C.G. Letter of Commendation

[Capt. Robert]

Deleted by User

[anchorman]

On the 26 January 2009 I Captain Robert Rescued 3 Hispanic Shrimp Trawlers from sea due to their vessel " Compadre " on fire 100 miles off Sabine Texas. I called the USCG for this letter of Commendation for saving 3 lives at sea. I have not received this letter, nor any metal. Here is the video from the Pentagon Report.


http://www.dodvclips.mil/?fr_story=F...805&rf=sitemap

I also have a copy of my Daily Log from that day. I guess I need to write to the

Coast Guard Headquarters
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard,
2100 Second Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20593

to receive this award.

Captain Robert,
We have reviewed your request and it has been decided, based on all partied involved, that there will be commendations regarding this event. These commendations will be outside of the authority of the Commandant and fall directly on the Congress of the United States to be rewarded as follows: The three hispanic trawlers will be awarded with free health insurance due to your bravery. Because of this, it should be expected that your insurance cost will rise in proportion to this outcome for being a model mariner on the high seas. In lieu of accepting this ruling, you can surrender your US Coast Guard license to: 2100 Second Street, SW,Washington, DC 20593. Once it has been established that you are no longer employed on the high seas, your insurance cost will be cancelled all together, but coverage shall remain the same.
Due to recent budget constraints, and the transfer of 30% of the US Coast Guards budget to the Department of Health services, we no longer give awards or medals. But, we do sell puppies for $150.00/each, which come in the traditional white, blue, and orange colors of the United States Coast Guard.

Best Regards,
Admiral XXXXXXXX

[Flyer69]

Do you want a medal? Or a chest to pin it on.

[TxKingfisher]

I think you have missed the point of the award...... It's because the Commandant finds your actions heroic, not because you find yourself heroic in your own mind. You also seem to me missing another huge point. As a mariner it is your DUTY to come to the aid of fellow mariners in peril. Helping the fishermen was a good deed no doubt, but writing the Commandant to demand a medal???? Seriously?

[Flyer69]

I think you have missed the point of the award...... It's because the Commandant finds your actions heroic, not because you find yourself heroic in your own mind. You also seem to me missing another huge point. As a mariner it is your DUTY to come to the aid of fellow mariners in peril. Helping the fishermen was a good deed no doubt, but writing the Commandant to demand a medal???? Seriously?

Pretty much sums it up.

[Jeffrox]

I watched the video clip; It didn't indicate any "risk of one’s own life, and evidence of extreme and heroic daring" nor "evidence of such extraordinary effort as to merit recognition".
It was just a good deed, and as already mentioned, your duty as a mariner.
Medals are just like hemorrhoids, every asshole gets one sooner or later.... I know cause I've gotten both

[Shellback]

To save someones life, is in it's self, the reward...

my opinion...

[shippedout]

Good luck on your quest for metal.

[TxKingfisher]

Its no biggie.

Sounded like it was a biggie to you at the time of the OP.

[10talents]

Good work captain. I think you should at least get the Coast Guard Public Service Award.
Giving up my license for free health care....hmm...maybe in a few more years. Also, I'm gonna need help with the rent, food stamps and some poor sucker to work their ass off paying for it all. And while we're at it I like puppies and even though I can't provide for my household let me have one of each color. Can I get free pet care too?

[Robert]

On the 26 January 2009 I Captain Robert Rescued 3 Hispanic Shrimp Trawlers from sea due to their vessel " Compadre " on fire 100 miles off Sabine Texas. I called the USCG for this letter of Commendation for saving 3 lives at sea. I have not received this letter, nor any metal. Here is the video from the Pentagon Report.


http://www.dodvclips.mil/?fr_story=F...805&rf=sitemap

I also have a copy of my Daily Log from that day. I guess I need to write to the

Coast Guard Headquarters
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard,
2100 Second Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20593

to receive this award.

Having worked in search and rescue in the Coast Guard I can assure you that those awards are extremely rare and given only in cases of amazing heroism. Which is not to denigrate your actions or the actions of thousands of other mariners who have answered the call to assist other mariners in distress.

[Capt. Fran]

Im not here for SMART A** comments

Then you, my good sir, are in the wrong forum and writing the wrong posts.

[Flyer69]

Im not here for SMART A** comments. but unfortunately that's everywhere

We're not here to read about you bitching because you got ignored in your quest to make yourself feel special.

[Shellback]

Character, is defined as doing the right thing when no one is looking...I applaud you for your saving a life I truly do, you did the right thing...and I think most will agree....

But to be upset because you weren't recognized for it is just outrageous to me..It's like you want a neon sign over your head pointing down how great you are..."Look at me" " Look at me", I can't help but find fault in that...In fact I just just can't understand it at all....

[anchorman]

I knew where this would go as soon as I read it. Word of advise Capt.Robert.... Check the anemometer before going to piss off the bridge wing.

[Flyer69]

Was that A VHF comment. or just a 2 cent comment.


NICE FORUM

It is a pretty nice forum, and most of the people here are very knowledgeable folks who would go out of their way to help others. But, they don't suffer fools lightly.

You started this thread. You told us what you did, helping another vessel in distress. Good on ya, 99.9% of us would have done the same thing. You told us you called the CG looking for recognition, which you haven't recieved. You told us you need to write a letter to rectify this apparent oversight by the powers that be. To this I say, knock yourself out.

But, I also ask, whats the point of telling us all about it? I looked at the video too. I didnt see any spectacular footage of superhero Capt. Robert putting his ass on the line to save those guys. I speculatte the guys most likely jumped in the water and you fished them out, then deposited them on a nearby oil rig. Attaboy Capt. Robert!

Now. As far as telling members of this fine online community not to post on your thread if they don't like what you write, wellllllll good luck with that one buddy.

Au Revoir, Capitan

[Diesel]

Dude, I am not upset nor did I say I was upset, nor do i want a neon sign over my head saying "Look at me" " Look at me". You all are taking this way out of proportion.

Uuummmm dude in everyone else's defense.

#1)In the beginning of this post you were talking about writing the Commandant of the Coast Guard about why you didn't receive your medal. Like he doesn't have more important stuff to deal with.

#2) You had a scanned copy of your 100 Ton License as your signature.

#3)Your screen name is Capt. Robert.(BTW, Almost everyone who posts on here is a Captain, hence the "Gcaptain" name of the site, so there is nobody here to impress.)

You are giving off serious Mommy and Daddy didn't give me enough attention vibe. You should consider toning it down a bit. We'll let you keep your "World's #1 Captain" bumper sticker though.


P.S. Please anyone else with Capt. in their screen name do not take offense. It was just one more thing to add to the list of attention getting efforts by this guy, and meant to be part of a larger picture.

[seadawg]

oh well..I guess it is my turn:

1) retrieving fellow mariners from a burning vessel is a self worthy stand alone endeavor of it's own merit!!
2) expecting and requesting an accolade as renumeration pretty much detracts and nullifies that value!!
3) being offended by what has thus far been posted..that is evidence of the underlying tragedy!!

**good luck with all that in the future!!

**only 600 or so of the USCG Gold Medals have been awarded since 1874**

The Lifesaving Medals
Heroic deeds and daring rescues at sea have always been a part of the Coast Guard tradition. But it was not until Congress passed the Life-Saving Act of June 20, 1874 that First and Second Class Medals were established and medals were awarded. The first medal was reserved for rescues of extreme and heroic daring, the second for those slightly less outstanding. Congress changed these designations in 1882, renaming the First Class medal the Gold Lifesaving Medal, and the Second Class Medal the Silver Lifesaving Medal. These medals are awarded to people who endanger their own lives while saving or attempting to save another from drowning, a shipwreck or other perils of the water. The first gold medals were awarded to three brothers who rescued two people from a shipwreck on Lake Erie in 1875. In November of the same year, two men received silver medals after they rescued two people from a shipwreck off the Maine coast.
One of the most celebrated lifesavers in our history was Joshua James. James is credited with saving more than 600 lives and earned two gold medals, three silver and other awards during his long and distinguished career. At the age of 15, James joined the Massachusetts Humane Society and later the U.S. Life-Saving Service. His most famous rescue, and one in which he received one of the Gold Lifesaving medals, was in November of 1888. James and his crew saved 29 people from five different vessels during one of the worst storms to hit Hull, Mass. Since 1874, more than 600 Gold Lifesaving Medals and more than 1,900 Silver Lifesaving Medals have been awarded.
The Secretary of Transportation has formal authority for the Lifesaving medals. The Coast Guard Commandant is responsible for the administrative details, including determination of eligibility.
Traditionally, these were the only lifesaving medals issued by the Coast Guard to civilians as well as military people. Today, military people may only receive these medals if they performed their act in an authorized leave or liberty status. Even then, a military award may be more appropriate.
The Gold and Silver Lifesaving Medals were designed by Anthony Paquet and were first struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The Gold Lifesaving Medal is 99.9 percent gold and the Silver Medal is 99 percent silver


**believe this gentleman was the last recipient (posthumous)

http://maritimetexas.net/wordpress/?tag=roger-stone



**on the lighter side..as for myself..much like Capt.Fran..all I ever wanted from life was a pony!!

[water]

In 1976 the Standfast (Sinkfast) 40, "Mary E II", sank during a strong norther in the Miami - Nassau SORC Race.

The crew members from the two boats that rescued the crew of the disabled vessel all received a "Letter of Appreciation" from the USCG.

Maybe that is because they didn't ask for it. Or didn't even know such an acknowledgement existed.

[Jon]

Awww, it looks like Capt. Robert took his ball and went home. He's deleted every single one of his posts. Wow. I hope the hell I don't end up working with this guy.