NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. – Chief Gunner’s Mate Justin Olson is a hero, and he received a medal that proves it.
Olson was presented Friday with the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the Navy’s highest non-combat decoration awarded for heroism.
“It’s incredibly humbling and wild,” said Olson after receiving the medal.
Rear Adm. Joseph Cahill, commander of the U.S. Naval Surface Force Atlantic, presented the award to Olson, who is being recognized for his heroic actions as a Search and Rescue Swimmer aboard the USS Cooperstown (LCS 23).
Olson’s action during a response to a distress call saved the life of a stranded mariner off the coast of South Carolina in March 2023.
The man had been stranded for days without food or water.
The award recipient said saving that man was dangerous because it was done during rough seas.
“The main thing I remember was just dealing with the sea state and getting pushed into the ship and kind of everything around me turning off, " Olson said. “And just what did I go through and what did I learn in training what do I need to do to get the survivor out of the water.”
Olson said he couldn’t have done the rescue without his crew, some who were at the ceremony Friday.
He also noted it was special having them and his family there to witness him receive the award.
“It was phenomenal,” Olson said. “I’m not exactly a spotlight kind of person, so anyone that could make it to kind of calm my nerves. Was really helpful.”
Olson is transitioning to a new position soon. He’ll be the lead training assessor for navy research and rescue operations at an overseas Navy base in Japan.