Petty Officer 3rd Class Austin Maddox, a native of Washingtonville, New York, serving the Navy at Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 in California, received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal on Jan. 12 for rescuing an injured surfer.

Maddox was surfing at Silver Strand Beach in November when he saw two other surfers collide, leaving one of them unconscious. Maddox and another surfer brought the injured person to shore. Maddox retrieved a first aid kit from his vehicle and applied pressure to the injured surfer’s wound, while directing other bystanders in first aid procedures until the fire department arrived.

“I was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for being at the right place at the right time,” said Maddox. “I was able to help, with others, a downed surfer off the beach and render first aid until medical help arrived.”

Maddox graduated from Washingtonville High School in 2021. Additionally, Maddox will earn a bachelor’s degree from Oxnard College later this year.

Maddox joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Maddox serves as a builder.

Courtesy of Navy Office of Community Outreach.