FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 28, 2000
Contact: Bill Adams
Phone: 202-366-5580
DOT 180-00

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today praised 12 members of the U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary as they were honored at ceremonies in Boston for their heroism and special achievements, and recognized for their drug seizure efforts and successes.

"President Clinton and Vice President Gore enthusiastically support the U.S. Coast Guard, and the men and women singled out for praise today illustrate why," Secretary Slater said. "All Americans can take great pride in the heroism and achievements we recognized today, adding to the rich 210-year saga of the U.S. Coast Guard as it continues to ensure the safety of people on our waterways and to protect the marine environment."

The 12 members of the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary were honored by U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen and U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral James M. Loy during ceremonies in Boston.

Four members of the U.S. Coast Guard were recognized for daring rescues at sea. They are Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Alves, assigned to the Aids to Navigation Team San Francisco, who earned the Silver Lifesaving Medal for rescuing two drowning swimmers. Petty Officer 2nd Class Roland Ashby, USCG Station Grand Haven, Mich., was recognized for rescuing two downed pilots in an icy lake; Petty Officer 3rd Class Shane Reese, USCG Airstation Barbers Point, Hawaii, was honored for leading a rescue after spotting two downed pilots adrift in the high seas at night. Seaman Michael Carola, USCG Station Oregon Inlet, Ore., was honored for rescuing a drowning, exhausted elderly man from severe currents.

The Coast Guard honored Lt. Nicholas Cucinelli, USCG Activities Baltimore, for coordinating response activities to protect the environment and the Chesapeake Bay following a major pipeline oil spill last spring. Lt. j.g. Anne Slaven, USCG Cutter Chase, was singled out for her performance as a boarding officer during major drug and migrant cases in the Pacific area. Chief Warrant Officer Robert Coster, Commanding Officer of USCG Group Portland, Ore., was recognized for his leadership in maintaining the safety of all involved during tribal gray whale hunting last spring in the Pacific Northwest.

In addition, the Coast Guard singled out the following for recognition:

Chief Petty Officer Melba Jean Crisp, USCG Group Portland, Ore., for resolving issues associated with the tests of TRICARE, the military’s new medical care system;

Coast Guard Auxiliarist Boris Motansky, a volunteer with the 17th Coast Guard District, Juneau, Alaska, for serving as a Russian translator aboard four Coast Guard cutters;

Petty Officer 2nd Class Corey Nissen, coxswain aboard the USCG Cutter Seneca, for leadership during the vessel’s counter drug operations;

Petty Officer 3rd Class Shawn Tolson, USCG Guard Cutter Bear, for his work on the cutter while deployed on Operations Allied Force and Noble Anvil; and

Petty Officer 3rd Class John Hendrix, mechanical engineer aboard the USCG Cutter Gallatin, for conducting critical repairs and maintenance for a prototype high-speed pursuit boat.

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