Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 NC Soldier Recognized by Coast Guard for Lifesaving Actions By Sgt. 1st Class Leticia Samuels,
                North Carolina National Guard
 FORT BRAGG, N.C. - U.S. Army Maj. Kenneth Leahy, a North Carolina National Guard dental officer, was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal Dec. 3. The Coast Guard recognized Leahy in a ceremony attended by his peers, family and senior leaders for rescuing a distressed 10-year-old child from drowning in turbulent water over 200 yards from shore. “I was in the right place at the right time,” said Leahy. “I thank God that I didn’t hesitate, and having my kids see me do a selfless act is its own reward. This isn’t the first time I have done it, and I will continue to do it. I can’t run, but I can swim!” On July 4, Leahy and his family were swimming at North Topsail Beach when other beach patrons and the child’s family started shouting, “She can’t swim. She can’t swim.” Leahy immediately swam to the child and evaluated her medical condition while swimming toward shore. “I swam out and caught up to her,” said Leahy. “I rolled her onto her back. She was unresponsive.” Leahy said he made sure she regained consciousness before starting back to shore. “We had somebody swim up with a boogie board,” Leahy said. “I got it under her and we started swimming back. When we got to the waves where the breakers were, a big one came. I just remember grabbing her as hard as I could. It rolled us and slammed me down. I thought I lost her, but I still had her. I swam back up [to the surface] and we got her back out.” U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Matt Baer, the sector commander of North Carolina, presented Leahy with the award. “Inlets have fast-flowing currents. In this case, based upon the currents, she was going to be taken offshore,” Baer said. “We launched a rescue boat and a Coast Guard helicopter out of Elizabeth City because we didn’t know where she was going to go. “We did have a search and rescue action plan, but fortunately, Maj. Leahy got there before we had the need to.” Leahy said this is the fifth person he has saved from drowning in the ocean. “I have always been a good swimmer,” Leahy said. “Swimming is always natural for me. I have never had a fear of the ocean because you can float, but you still have to have a respect for it because at any time, things can go horribly wrong.” U.S. Army Col. Michael Marciniak, the 60th Troop Command commander, recognized Leahy’s act of heroism and spoke to other service members in the medical detachment about their role in the medical readiness of North Carolina. “When I was listening to the citation for Maj. Leahy, one of the things that came to my mind was in our mission statement: to protect lives and the property of our citizens in North Carolina,” said Marciniak. “That is what he has done. Maj. Leahy wasn’t in his uniform. He was probably in his swim trunks hanging out with his family, but he executed that mission. I’m also standing in front of a bunch of medical professionals whose job is to do that every day. I’m very proud of you. I appreciate what you are doing for our nation and state. You are building readiness and you are taking care of our people.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
  North Carolina National Guard
 
 West Virginia’s 167th Wing Conducts Readiness Exercise
 By Senior Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle,
  North Carolina Guard Welcomes New Zambian State Partnership
 By Lt. Col. Ellis Parks,
  North Carolina, North Dakota, Maine Honored for State Partnerships
 By Air Force Lt. Col. Allison, Stephens,
  More
 New England Civil Engineers Strengthen Skills During Training Exercise Guard News • 3 days ago
 Idaho Guardsmen Train with Canadian and Polish Allies Guard News • 3 days ago
 New York National Guard Headquarters Staff Marks Memorial Day Guard News • 4 days ago
 Tennessee Guard, Local Partners Practice Disaster Response Guard News • 4 days ago
 Air Guard Units Test Readiness at Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • 5 days ago
 2024 (160)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil