Media Availability: Coast Guard to kick off Safe Boating Week by honoring Kotzebue man with Silver Lifesaving Medal

united states coast guard 

 

 

Media Availability

 

U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska
Contact: 17th District Public Affairs
(907) 428-4140
17th District online newsroom

Coast Guard to kick off Safe Boating Week by honoring Kotzebue man with Silver Lifesaving Medal

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Coast Guard is scheduled to present the Silver Lifesaving Medal Saturday, May 18, to a Kotzebue man for heroic actions he took as a young boy to save a girl from drowning in Kotzebue.

Then 10-year-old George "Radar" Lambert saved 12-year-old Pamela Smith from drowning in Kotzebue, June 22, 1998. This was the first documented save using a lifejacket from the Kids Don't Float program which has been attributed to saving a total of 31 lives.

Rear Adm. Matthew T. Bell, Commander, 17th Coast Guard District, will present this long-overdue award to officially recognize Lambert for his actions.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at approximately 10:30 a.m. at the Atwood Building Courtyard, 550 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, or inside the lower level conference room in the instance of inclement weather.

The event coincides with the first day of National Safe Boating Week. Coast Guard representatives and Alaska State Parks representatives will be on site to provide interviews about the Kids Don't Float Program and National Safe Boating week.

WHO: Rear Adm. Matthew T. Bell, Commander, 17th Coast Guard District; George "Radar" Lambert, rescuer and award recipient; Pamela Smith, survivor; Gov. Mike Dunleavy; Dr. Lewis Pagel, Kotzebue Mayor; Commissioner Corri Feige, Alaska Department of Natural Resources; Deputy Commissioner Brent Goodrum, Alaska Department of Natural Resources; Director Ricky Gease, Alaska State Parks

WHAT: The Coast Guard will present the Silver Lifesaving Medal to George "Radar" Lambert for saving Pamela Smith from drowning.

WHERE: Atwood Building Courtyard 550 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, or inside lower level conference room if inclement weather.

WHY: On June 22, 1998, 10-year-old George "Radar" Lambert saved 12-year-old Pamela Smith from drowning in Kotzebue. This was the first documented save using a lifejacket from the Kids Don't Float program which has been attributed to saving a total of 31 lives.

WHEN: 10-10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 18, 2019

 

Editor's note: Media, please RSVP by calling Coast Guard public affairs detachment Anchorage at 907-428-4140.

 

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