Coast Guardsman to get medal for off-duty save

A Coast Guard petty officer who helped save a woman’s life last month in Atlantic Beach, N.C., while he was off duty, will be honored Monday with a medal.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Allen Cantrell was browsing in a surf shop April 18 when Wilbur Mosely went into the store and asked for help, a Coast Guard news release says. Cantrell, 19, is a boatswain’s mate stationed aboard the cutter Staten Island.

Cantrell will receive a Coast Guard Commendation Medal during a ceremony in Atlantic Beach.

Mosely’s wife, Gloria, had fallen into the canal behind their house and hit her head, the release says. Mosely, who can’t swim, threw hear a life jacket and a rope, then went for help.

Cantrell got into Mosely’s truck, and the two went to the house, the release says. Cantrell jumped into the water and helped the woman until police and paramedics arrived, the release says.