BALTIMORE – United States Congressman Elijah Cummings, chairman of the House subcommittee on Coast Guard and maritime transportation, participated in the presentation of the Coast Guard Medal to Petty Officer 1st Class Lavelas Luckey during an official ceremony Wednesday at the Coast Guard Surface Forces Logistics Center in Baltimore. Admiral Thad Allen, commandant of the Coast Guard, presented the Coast Guard Medal to Luckey for voluntary and extraordinary acts of heroism accomplished at the risk of one’s own life.
While driving to work March 4, 2009, Luckey rescued a 5-year-old girl from an automobile accident that claimed the life of her mother. The child was injured and trapped inside the crushed and smoldering vehicle. Luckey took action before emergency responders arrived as he struggled to free a jammed car seat and pulled the little girl to safety. Within two minutes of the rescue, the car’s fuel tank exploded, engulfing the automobile in flames.
“It is important that we recognize when our people do important things, and we are here to do that today for Petty Officer Luckey,” said Allen. “We are very, very proud of you.”
“Far too often we look to the red carpets of Hollywood and our local football stadiums to find our heroes while overlooking the individuals who perform truly heroic actions in our own neighborhoods,” said Cummings. “I take my hat off to Petty Officer Lavelas Luckey for his act of bravery. It is fitting today that we honor him.”
