06/11/2009

Associated Press

The Coast Guard has presented its Silver Lifesaving Citation to one of its own who dove into Puget Sound nearly a year ago to save a 76-year-old motorist whose car had plunged off a sea wall along the Des Moines, Wash., waterfront.

Honored Wednesday was 30-year-old Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Truman Skang. Attending the ceremony were Skang's parents, who traveled for 24 hours from the family's home in Palau, an island nation near the Philippines.

The Seattle Times says Skang dove off a pier after the sinking car and pulled the driver to safety from the 52-degree water. He dove several more times but was unable to save the passenger, an 86-year-old woman, or her dog. Four other people who helped with the rescue will also be honored by the Coast Guard.

The accident on June 20, 2008, happened when the driver mistakenly stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake.

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Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com