Coast Guardsman receives Coast Guard Medal

BALTIMORE - United States Congressman Elijah Cummings (left), chairman of the House subcommittee on Coast Guard and maritime transportation, participates in the presentation of the Coast Guard Medal to Petty Officer 1st Class Lavelas Luckey during an official ceremony Wednesday, August 5, 2009, at the Coast Guard Surface Forces Logistics Center in Baltimore.  Admiral Thad Allen, commandant of the Coast Guard, presents the Coast Guard Medal to Luckey for voluntary and extraordinary acts of heroism accomplished at the risk of one’s own life.

While driving to work March 4, 2009, Luckey rescued a 5-year-old girl from an automobile accident that claimed the life of her mother.  The child was injured and trapped inside the crushed and smoldering vehicle. Luckey took action before emergency responders arrived as he struggled to free a jammed car seat and pulled the little girl to safety.  Within two minutes of the rescue, the car’s fuel tank exploded, engulfing the automobile in flames.

“It is important that we recognize when our people do important things, and we are here to do that today for Petty Officer Luckey," said Allen. "We are very, very proud of you.”

“Far too often we look to the red carpets of Hollywood and our local football stadiums to find our heroes while overlooking the individuals who perform truly heroic actions in our own neighborhoods," said Cummings.  "I take my hat off to Petty Officer Lavelas Luckey for his act of bravery.  It is fitting today that we honor him.” (Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandyn Hill)

BALTIMORE - Petty Officer 1st Class Lavelas Luckey, an Electrician’s Mate at the Coast Guard Surface Forces Logistics Center in Baltimore, receives the Coast Guard Medal from Congressman Elijah Cummings, chairman of the House subcommittee on Coast Guard and maritime transportation, and Adm. Thad Allen, the commandant of the Coast Guard, Wednesday, August 5, 2009, for heroism in saving a 5-year-old girl following an automobile accident March 4, 2009. “As a bystander coming upon the scene, Petty Officer Luckey risked his own safety and life to save a child,” said Cummings. (Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandyn Hill)

BALTIMORE - The Coast Guard Medal is shown at an award ceremony held for Petty Officer 1st Class Lavelas Luckey, an Electrician’s Mate at the Coast Guard Surface Forces Logistics Center in Baltimore, Wednesday, August 5, 2009, for saving a 5-year-old girl from an automobile accident March 4, 2009. The Coast Guard Medal was established August 4, 1949, and is presented to a servicemembers who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. (Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandyn Hill)

BALTIMORE - The Coast Guard Medal and award citation are displayed at an award presentation ceremony held at the Coast Guard Surface Forces Logistics Center in Baltimore, Wednesday, August 5, 2009.  The insert photo in the framed presentation is of the little girl whom Petty Officer 1st Class Lavelas Luckey, an Electrician’s Mate at the center, saved from a burning car March 4, 2009.  The insert photo also includes her older brother not involved in the accident. (Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandyn Hill)