NORTH BEND, Ore. — Coast Guard Group / Air Station North Bend formally dedicated a building to Master Chief retired Thomas D. McAdams during a dedication ceremony at the air station, Thursday.
Many family members of McAdams, as well as Coast Guard senior leadership officials, including Vice Adm. John P. Currier, Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, attended the ceremony to honor McAdams.
McAdams’ famed Coast Guard career as a boat driver earned him the Gold Lifesaving Medal, Coast Guard Medal, Legion of Merit, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Coast Guard Unit Commendation Ribbon, as well as many personal awards.
McAdams is well known for his tremendous record of lives saved in the Pacific Northwest. During a tour at the Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat School in Ilwaco, Wash., McAdams wrote the textbook used to train future boat-driving lifesavers. He served for over 26 years, retiring in 1977.
The McAdams Multipurpose Building facilitates Engineering and Rescue Swimmer operations.
