Baltimore Reservists Honored for Heroism

BALTIMORE (NNS) -- Twenty-six Reservists from Naval Reserve Center (NRC) Baltimore received awards during a ceremony April 17, for rescuing passengers of the Lady D, a Baltimore Harbor water taxi that capsized during a storm March 6.

Within minutes of the accident, the Reservists were in the NRC’s small landing craft and on the scene. According to Chief Storekeeper Ricardo Duncan, administrative department head for Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Det. 106. Once the Reservists reached the water taxi, they began throwing life rings to the survivors. The loading ramp at the front end of the craft was lowered into the water and used as a lever to raise one side of the capsized water taxi and free survivors.

Twenty-one people were rescued from the vessel. Five passengers did not survive.

Six Reservists who jumped into the water received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for their heroism. Other medals included the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal.

Maryland's Senator Barbara Mikulski and Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger congratulated the Reservists during the ceremony for their heroism.

“It was amazing what they did that day,” said Mikulski. “You can have the best training in the world. But the ultimate test in life is character. These people have the right stuff.”

She presented the commanding officer of NRC a resolution passed by all 100 senators recognizing the heroism.

“We are so proud of you,” said Rupperberger. “To be in a position to save someone’s life...look at how these individuals performed. You don’t have to go to Iraq to serve your county.”

One of the survivors of the water taxi accident also wanted to thank the Reservists.

"The extent of your efforts on others is far greater than you realize," said Thomas Pierce. “I was in total awe of each and every one of you. Your response to this accident was absolutely amazing."

The Reservists said they were grateful for the awards, but they didn’t feel like heroes.

“What we did was good, and I was proud to be there,” said Builder 1st Class Pat Elwood, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 23, Det. 0323. “If all those people on that boat had been in the front of the building, another crew would have done the same thing.”

The events of that day pulled the Reservists closer today, according to Lt. Cmdr. Art Eisenstein, Associate Regional Director, Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

“We are really a family now,” he said. “It had to be Navy training at its best.”

For more news from around the fleet, visit the Navy NewsStand at www.news.navy.mil.

040417-N-9693M-001 Naval Reserve Center Baltimore, Md. (Apr. 17, 2004) - Assistant Navy Secretary Dionel Aviles pins the Navy and Marine Corps Medal on Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Jerry Neblett for his actions in helping rescue passengers from the Lady D, a water taxi that capsized in Baltimore Harbor on March 6. Twenty-six reservists from Naval Reserve Center Baltimore received awards for their heroic efforts. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Damon Moritz. (RELEASED)

040417-N-9693M-002 Naval Reserve Center Baltimore, Md. (Apr. 17, 2004) - Assistant Navy Secretary Dionel Aviles pins the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal on Sea Cadet Ens. Jerome Stoney for his actions in helping rescue passengers from the Lady D, a water taxi that capsized in Baltimore Harbor on March 6. Twenty-six reservists from Naval Reserve Center Baltimore received awards for their heroic efforts. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Damon Moritz. (RELEASED)

I took instant offense at Ruppersberger's comment "You don’t have to go to Iraq to serve your county.” It looked like a thinly veiled attack against our troops. So I Googled him, and it looks like I may have been wrong. He's a dem, but he has spoken out in favor of Bush's decision to go to war in Iraq. Then again, so did Kerry. If anybody has more insight on his opinion of our troops, I'd like to hear it.

I checked the NewsStand's archives and found the following photos. There are previous stories about this posted. You can find them by searching the keyword "watertaxi."

040306-N-0000X-008 Baltimore, Md. (March 6, 2004) – Passengers of the capsized water-taxi are are provided blankets and care aboard a U.S. Navy boat in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor after being rescued. Reservists from Naval Reserve Center (NRC) Baltimore assisted in the rescue of more than a dozen passengers late in the afternoon, March 6. Command Master Chief Melvin Johnson and Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Edward Mendez witnessed the water taxi capsize as it attempted to maneuver in heavy winds and seas. They immediately called 911, and Cmdr. Petersen Decker, commanding officer of Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Det. 106, coordinated the launch one of the NRC's small craft to assist in the rescue effort. Approximately 15 Naval Reserve and active-duty personnel assisted the Baltimore City Fire Department in rescuing 20 passengers. U.S. Navy photo by Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Jerry Neblett. (RELEASED)

040306-N-0000X-009 Baltimore, Md. (March 6, 2004) – Passengers of the capsized water-taxi are provided blankets and care aboard a U.S. Navy boat in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor after being rescued. Reservists from Naval Reserve Center (NRC) Baltimore assisted in the rescue of more than a dozen passengers late in the afternoon, March 6. Command Master Chief Melvin Johnson and Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Edward Mendez witnessed the water taxi capsize as it attempted to maneuver in heavy winds and seas. They immediately called 911, and Cmdr. Petersen Decker, commanding officer of Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Det. 106, coordinated the launch one of the NRC's small craft to assist in the rescue effort. Approximately 15 Naval Reserve and active-duty personnel assisted the Baltimore City Fire Department in rescuing 20 passengers. U.S. Navy photo by Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Jerry Neblett. (RELEASED)

040306-N-0000X-007 Baltimore, Md. (March 6, 2004) – Passengers of the water-taxi cling to the hull of the capsized pontoon boat in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor as a U.S. Navy boat approaches to assist in rescue operations. Reservists from Naval Reserve Center (NRC) Baltimore assisted in the rescue of more than a dozen passengers late in the afternoon, March 6. Command Master Chief Melvin Johnson and Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Edward Mendez witnessed the water taxi capsize as it attempted to maneuver in heavy winds and seas. They immediately called 911, and Cmdr. Petersen Decker, commanding officer of Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Det. 106, coordinated the launch one of the NRC's small craft to assist in the rescue effort. Approximately 15 Naval Reserve and active-duty personnel assisted the Baltimore City Fire Department in rescuing 20 passengers. U.S. Navy photo by Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Jerry Neblett. (RELEASED)

040306-N-0000X-005 Baltimore, Md. (March 6, 2004) – Reservists from Naval Reserve Center (NRC) Baltimore assisted in the rescue of more than a dozen passengers from the capsized water-taxi late in the afternoon, March 6 in Baltimore’s Inner Habor. Command Master Chief Melvin Johnson and Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Edward Mendez witnessed the water taxi capsize as it attempted to maneuver in heavy winds and seas. They immediately called 911, and Cmdr. Petersen Decker, commanding officer of Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Det. 106, coordinated the launch one of the NRC's small craft to assist in the rescue effort. Approximately 15 Naval Reserve and active-duty personnel assisted the Baltimore City Fire Department in rescuing 20 passengers. U.S. Navy photo by Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Jerry Neblett. (RELEASED)

040306-N-0000X-006 Baltimore, Md. (March 6, 2004) – Passengers of the water-taxi cling to the hull of the capsized pontoon boat in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor as a U.S. Navy boat approaches to assist in rescue operations. Reservists from Naval Reserve Center (NRC) Baltimore assisted in the rescue of more than a dozen passengers late in the afternoon, March 6. Command Master Chief Melvin Johnson and Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Edward Mendez witnessed the water taxi capsize as it attempted to maneuver in heavy winds and seas. They immediately called 911, and Cmdr. Petersen Decker, commanding officer of Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Det. 106, coordinated the launch one of the NRC's small craft to assist in the rescue effort. Approximately 15 Naval Reserve and active-duty personnel assisted the Baltimore City Fire Department in rescuing 20 passengers. U.S. Navy photo by Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Jerry Neblett. (RELEASED)

040306-N-0000X-003 Baltimore, Md. (March 6, 2004) – Passengers of the capsized water-taxi are are provided blankets and care aboard a U.S. Navy boat in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor after being rescued. Reservists from Naval Reserve Center (NRC) Baltimore assisted in the rescue of more than a dozen passengers late in the afternoon, March 6. Command Master Chief Melvin Johnson and Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Edward Mendez witnessed the water taxi capsize as it attempted to maneuver in heavy winds and seas. They immediately called 911, and Cmdr. Petersen Decker, commanding officer of Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Det. 106, coordinated the launch one of the NRC's small craft to assist in the rescue effort. Approximately 15 Naval Reserve and active-duty personnel assisted the Baltimore City Fire Department in rescuing 20 passengers. U.S. Navy photo by Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Jerry Neblett. (RELEASED)

040306-N-0000X-004 Baltimore, Md. (March 6, 2004) – Passengers of the water-taxi cling to the hull of the capsized pontoon boat in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor as a U.S. Navy boat approaches to assist in rescue operations. Reservists from Naval Reserve Center (NRC) Baltimore assisted in the rescue of more than a dozen passengers late in the afternoon, March 6. Command Master Chief Melvin Johnson and Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Edward Mendez witnessed the water taxi capsize as it attempted to maneuver in heavy winds and seas. They immediately called 911, and Cmdr. Petersen Decker, commanding officer of Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Det. 106, coordinated the launch one of the NRC's small craft to assist in the rescue effort. Approximately 15 Naval Reserve and active-duty personnel assisted the Baltimore City Fire Department in rescuing 20 passengers. U.S. Navy photo by Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Jerry Neblett. (RELEASED)

040306-N-0000X-002 Baltimore, Md. (March 6, 2004) – Passengers of the capsized water-taxi are are provided blankets and care aboard a U.S. Navy boat in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor after being rescued. Reservists from Naval Reserve Center (NRC) Baltimore assisted in the rescue of more than a dozen passengers late in the afternoon, March 6. Command Master Chief Melvin Johnson and Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Edward Mendez witnessed the water taxi capsize as it attempted to maneuver in heavy winds and seas. They immediately called 911, and Cmdr. Petersen Decker, commanding officer of Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Det. 106, coordinated the launch one of the NRC's small craft to assist in the rescue effort. Approximately 15 Naval Reserve and active-duty personnel assisted the Baltimore City Fire Department in rescuing 20 passengers. U.S. Navy photo by Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Jerry Neblett. (RELEASED)

040306-N-0000X-001 Baltimore, Md. (March 6, 2004) – Passengers of the water-taxi cling to the hull of the capsized pontoon boat in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor as a U.S. Navy boat approaches to assist in rescue operations. Reservists from Naval Reserve Center (NRC) Baltimore assisted in the rescue of more than a dozen passengers late in the afternoon, March 6. Command Master Chief Melvin Johnson and Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Edward Mendez witnessed the water taxi capsize as it attempted to maneuver in heavy winds and seas. They immediately called 911, and Cmdr. Petersen Decker, commanding officer of Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Det. 106, coordinated the launch one of the NRC's small craft to assist in the rescue effort. Approximately 15 Naval Reserve and active-duty personnel assisted the Baltimore City Fire Department in rescuing 20 passengers. U.S. Navy photo by Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Jerry Neblett. (RELEASED)

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