ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Coast Guard is scheduled to present the Gold Lifesaving Medal on Friday to a man who rescued two children from drowning July 4, 2011. Rear Adm. William Lee, commander of the Coast Guard 5th District will present the medal at Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City.
Lou Rosso witnessed two children screaming and waving approximately 100 yards from Atlantic City beach. Rosso ran to the water and swam out to assist the children. Unable to pull them to shore due to fatigue, Rosso concentrated on preventing them from drowning until emergency responders could arrive.
After 10 minutes in the water, struggling to stay afloat with both children, emergency responders arrived and transported all three people to a nearby hospital.
The Gold Lifesaving Medal was established by Congress in 1874 and is one of the oldest military medals. It is awarded by the commandant of the Coast Guard to any person who rescues, or endeavors to rescue, any other person from drowning, shipwreck or other peril of the water.
