- Casey Kelly/KMXT
- Air Station Kodiak Rescue Swimmer Wil Milam is receiving more accolades for a February 2007 rescue, during which Milam’s survival suit malfunctioned.
- Milam was part of an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew that rescued three crewmembers from the fishing vessel Illusion, which sank near Dutch Harbor on February 10, 2007. Milam’s suit sprang a leak during the rescue and he himself had to be treated for hypothermia.
- He’s received a number of awards and commendations for the rescue, and now he’ll be able to add another: A gold medal from the nonprofit Association for Rescue at Sea.
- In addition to Milam, three auxiliary U-S Coast Guardsmen and an auxiliary Canadian Coast Guardsman are being recognized by the association for an April 2007 rescue near Seldovia.
- The recipients will be presented with their awards at a reception in Washington D.C. on September 25th.
- Earlier this year Milam was a guest of First Lady Laura Bush at the president’s State of the Union address.
- ###