Coast Guard hero honored in Delaware

Caleb Mabry’s life-saving actions while off-duty in Virginia were honored in Rehoboth Beach on Friday as he received the Silver Lifesaving Medal.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Mabry was recovering from leg surgery in Cape Charles, Virginia in June of 2015 when he heard calls for help from a swimmer about 50 yards off-shore. Joined by another bystander, Mabry swam out to the teenage swimmer struggling in strong currents. Mabry and the bystander were able to keep the victim afloat and bring safetly to shore.

Mabry returned to the rough water in an unsuccessful search for a second victim who drowned.

On Friday, U.S. Senator Chris Coons, D-Delaware, pinned the Silver Lifesaving Medal on Mabry during a ceremony at Coast Guard Station Indian River in Rehoboth Beach.

“To sacrifice or to risk the sacrifice of your own life for others, and in particular for a complete stranger, is the most powerful act of selflessness known to man,” Coons said. “We can all hope that we would have that courage. We can all believe, train and work for having that courage in the face of danger, but there are relatively few instances when we get to recognize someone who literally looked danger right in the eyes and had courage.”