Coast Guard awards Philly brothers for lifesaving efforts

united states coast guard 

News Release  

October 11, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 5th District PA Detachment Atlantic City
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Atlantic City
Office: (609) 813-3888
After Hours: (757) 434-6043

Coast Guard awards Philly brothers for lifesaving efforts

Joe Gottschalk (left) and Billy Gottschalk (right) pose for a photo together in front of a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, after they were awarded the Coast Guard Public Service Commendation at Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, Oct. 11, 2017. Capt. Eric Gleason, commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City presents the Coast Guard Public Service Commendation to Joe Gottschalk (center) and Billy Gottschalk (right), Philadelphia natives, for their efforts to help save four people on boogie boards caught in a riptide on August 10, 2016, at Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, Oct. 11, 2017.  Coast Guard photography by Petty Officer 1st Class Seth Johnson 

Members of Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City shake the hands of Billy Gottschalk (center-right) and Joe Gottschalk (right), who used their personal watercraft to help the Coast Guard save two children and two adults on boogie boards on August 10, 2016, at Air Station Atlantic City, Oct. 11, 2017.  Coast Guard photography by Petty Officer 1st Class Seth Johnson

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

PHILADELPHIA -- The Coast Guard awarded two brothers the U.S. Coast Guard Public Service Commendation for their assistance last year in saving four boogie boarders caught in a rip current off Strathmere, New Jersey, at Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, Wednesday.

Joseph Gottschalk, 24, and William Gottschalk, 31, both Philadelphia natives, were fishing in a scanoe on August 10, 2016, when they assisted four people in distress, making their way through five-foot breaking surf to lend assistance to two adults and two children as a Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Atlantic City arrived on-scene.

As the Gottschalk brothers approached the boogie boarders, they gave their life jackets to the children and with the assistance of the Coast Guard rescue swimmer, placed the children in the scanoe, and then they were hoisted to the safety of the helicopter.

Just after the children were hoisted, a large swell capsized the scanoe, sending the Gottschalks into the water. While the Coast Guard rescue crew hoisted the remaining two adult boogie boarders aboard their helicopter, the Gottschalks fought through breaking surf to make their way back to shore.

The actions of the Gottschalks directly assisted in saving the lives of four people and kept them from being overwhelmed by the sea.

"We are just glad we were in the right place at the right time to be able to help assist four people who were in trouble," said Billy Gottschalk.  "I'm glad we were able to get them to safety so they can go on to enjoy another vacation in the future."

 

Rescue of four boogie boarders.

Click here for footage of the rescue on August 10, 2016

 

-USCG-