Real Heroes
 

One 36-foot self-bailing, self-righting surfboat usually had a crew of 4 and could carry 12 people in an emergency. But in this emergency, through 60-foot seas, at night, with a poor radio, and with no compass because it had been swept overboard, this crew of 4 rescued 32 people and brought them to safety.

http://www.theday.com/news/ts-re.asp...5-943A2FA9A3F2

Ervin Maske was incorrectly identified in the article as Irving Maske. I met Ervin when he was a honored guest at the Western Great Lakes Coast Guard reunion on 9/21/2002. For this rescue he received The Commandant's Gold Lifesaving Medal, the highest non-combat award for a Coastguardsman. (There were several allergy attacks when we talked to Ervin and heard his story.) The certificate for the medal, signed by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, was available for all of us to read.

After his story was told, everyone at the reunion rose and gave Ervin a great round of applause, for he exemplifies the traditional qualities that all of us in the Coast Guard honor, respect and admire.