Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class John Thompson on Wednesday became the fifth Coast Guardsman to receive the service's highest honor for noncombat operations, the Coast Guard Medal, for action during last year's devastating wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii.
Thompson, then assigned to Coast Guard Station Maui, was credited with devising a rescue plan to pluck residents fleeing from the burning town, positioning his rigid hull inflatable boat to avoid reduced visibility in the smoke and coordinating with a rescue swimmer and civilian Samaritans to save five individuals, including two children, while helping more than three dozen others reach safety, according to his citation.
"There are people who are home today with their families because of Petty Officer Thompson and his crew's heroism," Rear Adm. Joseph Buzzella, Coast Guard District 11 commander, said during an award ceremony Wednesday at Coast Guard Base Los Angeles-Long Beach, where Thompson is now stationed.
"This is the first time I have awarded a medal of this level to anyone, and Petty Officer Thompson and his crew are most deserving. They demonstrated bravery, came together, took action and made a significant difference during the fires," Buzzella said in a statement.
Multiple fires erupted on Maui on Aug. 8, 2023, as the result of sparking power lines driven by high winds from an offshore hurricane. Residents of historic Lahaina received little to no warning of the approaching firestorm, according to a report from the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General.
The fire, the deadliest in the U.S. in a century, trapped hundreds of residents, killing 102 and destroying the town.
As the fire approached the seaside village, Coast Guard Sector Hawaii began receiving emergency calls from Lahaina. Members assigned to Station Maui, located on the island's southern shore, were dispatched, along with helicopters from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point on Oahu.
As the Coasties approached, they saw flames engulfing the town and dozens of cell phone lights along the seawall in the distance.
"I don't think we had any concept of how bad it was until we got there," Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Theodore Kirkbride said in a video on the rescue.
"We could hear explosions. We could hear folks on the breakwall yelling towards us," Machinery Technician 2nd Class Mason Anthony said in the video.
The team began using all possible means, including surfboards, to rescue the residents.
Across three days, the Coast Guard searched 791 nautical miles, saved 17 people, and assisted the evacuation of dozens more, according to the service.
"I've never been more proud of a group of men and women that I've ever worked with," said Chief Boatswain's Mate Matt Casper, who served as acting officer in charge of the operation.
The Coast Guard Medal is awarded to members who distinguish themselves during voluntary acts of heroism that are not combat related. According to the service, to earn the honor a Coast Guardsman must "face ... great personal danger of such a magnitude that it stands out distinctly above normal expectations."
The other Coast Guardsmen assigned to Station Maui who were awarded the Coast Guard Medal for the Lahaina rescue on July 27 include Anthony; Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Kaleiopio Guth; Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Gregory Goicoechea; and Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Lia Baez-Calvo.
Kirkbride is expected to receive his medal within the next week and Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Joshua Marzilli will be awarded it Thursday. Marzilli previously was selected as the USO's Coast Guardsman of the Year and also received the 2024 Gold Medal from the Association for Rescue at Sea.
Related: Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Honored for Saving 3 Imperiled Sailors in Alaska
