Petty Officer 2nd Class Drew D. Dazzo, S.C.,
Star of Courage
On May 7, 2007, Petty Officer 2nd Class Drew Dazzo, of the American Coast Guard, rescued an Ottawa man and two other crew members after their sailboat capsized during a storm near the North Carolina coast, in the United States. The victims were desperately hanging on to their damaged life raft in 20-metre-high waves, when Petty Officer 2nd Class Dazzo was lowered by a cable from a helicopter to help each of them into a rescue basket. He sustained a back injury during the first descent when he was violently tossed by a large wave. Petty Officer 2nd Class Dazzo displayed a very high degree of courage, determination and endurance during the rescue, which was performed in extreme weather and perilous sea conditions.