Three members of Delaware Air National Guard Fire Department 33 received the Special Act Award for saving the life of a drowning man on the Christina River.
On Tuesday June 27, 2023, Master Sgt. Patrick Burns, Alexander Humes and Matthew Koehler on off duty were fishing in the Christiana River at around 0930. Due the to heavy storms the night before, the current was strong and full of debris. Just after 1330 at the confluence of the Brandywine Creek and the Christiana River, the crew noticed a large white object appearing from the distance. Once closer to the object, it was discovered to be a large damaged and deflating raft with someone grasping to the side bobbing just above the water line. Humes stood at the bow of the boat and navigated the crew through the current and debris to the deflated raft. Then Humes and Koehler were able to throw lines to the swimmer, pull him to the side of the hull, and secure his raft to the stern. Once the swimmer was brought aboard, Koehler was able to assess the swimmer to ensure he wasn't injured and Humes navigated the boat up stream to a nearby slipway where the swimmer started. The crew was able to beach the boat, drop the swimmer off, and notify 911 of the incidents so the patient could get a medical evaluation.
Delaware National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Michael Berry presented the awards to Master Sgt. Patrick Burns, Alexander Humes at Joint Force Headquarters on September 5, 2023.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Laura Bradley.)

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Three members of Delaware Air National Guard Fire Department 33 received the Special Act Award for saving the life of a drowning man on the Christina River.
On Tuesday June 27, 2023, Master Sgt. Patrick Burns, Alexander Humes and Matthew Koehler on off duty were fishing in the Christiana River at around 0930. Due the to heavy storms the night before, the current was strong and full of debris. Just after 1330 at the confluence of the Brandywine Creek and the Christiana River, the crew noticed a large white object appearing from the distance. Once closer to the object, it was discovered to be a large damaged and deflating raft with someone grasping to the side bobbing just above the water line. Humes stood at the bow of the boat and navigated the crew through the current and debris to the deflated raft. Then Humes and Koehler were able to throw lines to the swimmer, pull him to the side of the hull, and secure his raft to the stern. Once the swimmer was brought aboard, Koehler was able to assess the swimmer to ensure he wasn't injured and Humes navigated the boat up stream to a nearby slipway where the swimmer started. The crew was able to beach the boat, drop the swimmer off, and notify 911 of the incidents so the patient could get a medical evaluation.
Delaware National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Michael Berry presented the awards to Master Sgt. Patrick Burns, Alexander Humes at Joint Force Headquarters on September 5, 2023.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Laura Bradley.)

© All Rights Reserved

Three members of Delaware Air National Guard Fire Department 33 received the Special Act Award for saving the life of a drowning man on the Christina River.
On Tuesday June 27, 2023, Master Sgt. Patrick Burns, Alexander Humes and Matthew Koehler on off duty were fishing in the Christiana River at around 0930. Due the to heavy storms the night before, the current was strong and full of debris. Just after 1330 at the confluence of the Brandywine Creek and the Christiana River, the crew noticed a large white object appearing from the distance. Once closer to the object, it was discovered to be a large damaged and deflating raft with someone grasping to the side bobbing just above the water line. Humes stood at the bow of the boat and navigated the crew through the current and debris to the deflated raft. Then Humes and Koehler were able to throw lines to the swimmer, pull him to the side of the hull, and secure his raft to the stern. Once the swimmer was brought aboard, Koehler was able to assess the swimmer to ensure he wasn't injured and Humes navigated the boat up stream to a nearby slipway where the swimmer started. The crew was able to beach the boat, drop the swimmer off, and notify 911 of the incidents so the patient could get a medical evaluation.
Delaware National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Michael Berry presented the awards to Master Sgt. Patrick Burns, Alexander Humes at Joint Force Headquarters on September 5, 2023.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Laura Bradley.)

© All Rights Reserved

Three members of Delaware Air National Guard Fire Department 33 received the Special Act Award for saving the life of a drowning man on the Christina River.
On Tuesday June 27, 2023, Master Sgt. Patrick Burns, Alexander Humes and Matthew Koehler on off duty were fishing in the Christiana River at around 0930. Due the to heavy storms the night before, the current was strong and full of debris. Just after 1330 at the confluence of the Brandywine Creek and the Christiana River, the crew noticed a large white object appearing from the distance. Once closer to the object, it was discovered to be a large damaged and deflating raft with someone grasping to the side bobbing just above the water line. Humes stood at the bow of the boat and navigated the crew through the current and debris to the deflated raft. Then Humes and Koehler were able to throw lines to the swimmer, pull him to the side of the hull, and secure his raft to the stern. Once the swimmer was brought aboard, Koehler was able to assess the swimmer to ensure he wasn't injured and Humes navigated the boat up stream to a nearby slipway where the swimmer started. The crew was able to beach the boat, drop the swimmer off, and notify 911 of the incidents so the patient could get a medical evaluation.
Delaware National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Michael Berry presented the awards to Master Sgt. Patrick Burns, Alexander Humes at Joint Force Headquarters on September 5, 2023.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Laura Bradley.)

© All Rights Reserved

Three members of Delaware Air National Guard Fire Department 33 received the Special Act Award for saving the life of a drowning man on the Christina River.
On Tuesday June 27, 2023, Master Sgt. Patrick Burns, Alexander Humes and Matthew Koehler on off duty were fishing in the Christiana River at around 0930. Due the to heavy storms the night before, the current was strong and full of debris. Just after 1330 at the confluence of the Brandywine Creek and the Christiana River, the crew noticed a large white object appearing from the distance. Once closer to the object, it was discovered to be a large damaged and deflating raft with someone grasping to the side bobbing just above the water line. Humes stood at the bow of the boat and navigated the crew through the current and debris to the deflated raft. Then Humes and Koehler were able to throw lines to the swimmer, pull him to the side of the hull, and secure his raft to the stern. Once the swimmer was brought aboard, Koehler was able to assess the swimmer to ensure he wasn't injured and Humes navigated the boat up stream to a nearby slipway where the swimmer started. The crew was able to beach the boat, drop the swimmer off, and notify 911 of the incidents so the patient could get a medical evaluation.
Delaware National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Michael Berry presented the awards to Master Sgt. Patrick Burns, Alexander Humes at Joint Force Headquarters on September 5, 2023.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Laura Bradley.)

© All Rights Reserved