Jasper native receives Red Cross hero award
Story and photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Jorgensen
The American Red Cross recognized a Jasper, Ala., native as a military hero Friday, March 6, 2009, for rescuing a woman with severe head trauma from a sailboat 245 miles southeast of Cape Cod, Mass., during a thunderstorm July 2, 2008.
Coast Guard Cdmr. Shannon McCuller is now assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Mass., and was one of the pilots flying the helicopter that went to medevac the wounded woman.
McCuller coordinated the refueling and meeting positions for the rescue and worked with the other pilot to keep the rescue swimmer safe as he was lowered down amongst the unpredictably swaying mast and rigging of the 40-foot sailboat, Avra, being tossed around in 15-foot seas.
Once the injured woman was hoisted into the helicopter, the flight crew worked together to keep her in stable condition during the two-hour flight to shore. An Ambulance met the crew at the air station and took the woman to a local hospital where she was treated and made a full recovery.
The Cape Cod and Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross presented the Military Sea Rescue Award to McCuller and the four other men who were on the helicopter with him in front of more than 500 people during a ceremony in Hyannis, Mass.
"I think my role in the crew was small, but what the crew did together was important," McCuller said after the ceremony.
McCuller also received the Coast Guard Achievement Medal on Dec. 2, 2008, for his part in the rescue.
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