Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Bi-monthly issues include news and feature articles about the men and women who comprise America's premier national maritime safety and security
Issue link: https://uscgreservist.epubxp.com/i/140140
moment in time in which he used his training as a civilian emergency medical technician to save the life of one of his fellow Coast Guardsman right here at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. For that performance – for that moment in time – Gavola was honored with the Coast Guard Achievement Medal. "That's the moment in time that separates you from the people we protect," North said after Coast Guard Cmdr. John Caraballo, PSU 311 commanding officer, gave Gavola his medal. According to the citation that accompanies the medal, Gavola was on patrol with his crew onboard a Coast Guard transportable port security boat during the early morning of Feb. 1. The boat was dispatched to the naval station ship pier to provide medical assistance to a Coast Guard cutter crewman suffering lifethreatening head trauma. North said the Coast Guardsman at the pier knew Gavola had experience as an EMT and, thinking quickly, directed Gavola's boat over to the scene. There, Gavola immediately began assisting the corpsman already at the pier. According to the citation, Gavola instantly provided a nasopharyngeal airway to get the patient breathing again and prepared for an ambulance to arrive. Gavola assisted the corpsman with suctioning when the patient vomited, and he also placed the patient on backboard to immobilize the spine and prevent further injury. Gavola then took charge of a swift, safe movement of the patient to the ambulance and evacuation to the naval hospital. "Petty Officer Gavola's clear presence of mind and decisive actions were instrumental in critical, life-saving care and the prevention of potential further injury to the patient," the citation reads. "His diligence, perseverance, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard." North said he and the rest of PSU 311 are "extremely proud" of Gavola, not just for his actions in saving a fellow Coast Guardsman's life but for the modest way in which he treats the situation. "He's a pretty humble guy. He's got that aw-shucks way of talking," North said, noting Gavola gives credit to the corpsman and tells people he was just doing his job. "We're extremely proud of Petty Officer Gavola for who he is and what he does." North also pointed out that, while PSU 311 is here to provide force protection for Joint Task Force Guantanamo, the Coast Guard's first and foremost mission is saving lives and Gavola put on that display. "We're [Coast Guard] a life-saving force," North said. "Saving lives is what we do over and above in Gavola's case." Caraballo said Gavola personified the Coast Guard's motto – Semper Paratus, or Always Ready – through his life-saving actions. "That evening, opportunity met readiness," Caraballo said. "The opportunity to save a life met the readiness of our combat lifesaver, resulting in a life-saving event, an event that saved a fellow Coast Guardsman. We couldn't be prouder of our shipmate." Caraballo also pointed to the unassuming way in which Gavola presents himself, even after saving a life and earning the medal. "He's as humble as they come," Caraballo said. "He's truly a humble professional, a silent professional. He'll tell you every day he's just doing his job, but we know he's going and above. I'm incredibly honored to be serving by his side." Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Michael Tredo, Gavola's immediate supervisor, said the Coast Guardsman displays a devotion to duty, both on that fateful night and in his regular work in which he often volunteers to help out his comrades. 40 RESERVIST � Issue 2 • 2013 "He goes above and beyond the call of duty when it comes not only to performing his duty but to bettering himself," Tredo said. For his own part, Gavola said the corpsman and all of the agencies who assisted in the rescue and evacuation and said his training as an EMT kept him calm during the intense situation. "It's what I do every day. Back home, I'm an EMT," he said. "It went from a fairly calm night to 'OK, we're ready to go.' Everything went extremely smooth." From Seas to Trees: Historic Ship's Company and U.S. Forest Service team up for 1812 living history event Story and photos by PA1 Susan Blake More than 100 middle and high school students from Franklin County, Fla., got the opportunity to explore the life of an early 19th century sailor through a living history program presented by the National Forests in Florida and the U.S. Coast Guard Revenue Cutter Service Historic Ship's Company (HSC). The backdrop was historic Fort Gadsden in the Apalachicola National Forest, the only historic landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the U.S. Forest Service's Southern Region. Students and teachers participated in hands-on demonstrations with the historic ship's company, established by the Coast Guard as part of its War of 1812 bicentennial commemoration. Members of the ship's company are composed of reservists, active duty personnel and auxiliarists. The day- the national forests in florida and the U.S. Coast guard Revenue Cutter Service Historic Ship's Company present a living history program to students from franklin County High School here at fort gadsden on the apalachicola national forest in florida.