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A U.S. Naval Academy midshipman received the Navy and Marine
Corps Medal on January 9, 2017 in front of the entire Brigade of
Midshipmen assembled in Alumni Hall.
Midshipman 3rd Class
Jonathan Dennler received the medal, the highest non-combat
decoration awarded for heroism by the U.S. Department of the Navy,
for heroic actions while leading a Boy Scout troop in July 2016.
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January
9, 2017 - U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Ted Carter, left, pins the Navy and Marine Corps Medal on Midshipman 3rd Class Jonathan Dennler's uniform. Dennler received the medal - the highest non-combat decoration awarded for heroism by the U.S. Department of the Navy - for heroic actions while leading a Boy Scout troop in July 2016. During a major storm, two trees fell on the campsite, killing a scout and an adult volunteer and severely injuring others. When he couldn't contact anyone on the radio for help, he canoed more than 1.5 miles at night in 60 mph winds and a lightning storm to a ranger station to bring back help and medical supplies.
(Image created by USA Patriotism! from U.S. Naval Academy photo by Kenneth Aston)
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While camping in Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario,
Canada, the troop experienced a major storm with up to 80
mph gusts and lightning strikes. Two trees fell on the
campsite, killing a scout and an adult volunteer and
severely injuring others.
When Dennler
couldn't contact anyone on the radio for help, he canoed
more than 1.5 miles at night in 60 mph winds to a ranger
station to bring back help and medical supplies.
The
Navy and Marine Corps Medal falls in order of precedence
just below the Distinguished Flying Cross and above the
Bronze Star. It was first bestowed during World War II, to
then Lt. j.g. John F. Kennedy. Only about 3,000 have
received the award since. To win this award, there must be
evidence the act of heroism involved very specific
life-threatening risk to the awardee.
The award came
as a surprise to both Dennler and his classmates, who
listened in silence while academy Superintendent Vice Adm.
Ted Carter read the award citation then gave him a rousing
standing ovation.
"It was an incredibly humbling and
unexpected experience," said Dennler. "I'm very thankful to
everyone who helped to make that happen and for the support
of my family and friends."
The award wasn't a
surprise to his parents, who also attended the award
presentation. Dennler's mother, Monica Dennler, described
her son as "persistent and tenacious."
"He knows how
to persevere, and has a kind heart," she said. "He was the
only one who knew what to do back in high school when a
classmate broke their leg at a basketball game, because he
was an Eagle Scout."
"He is a quiet young man who
would not want a big fuss, but rightfully deserves it," said
20th Company Senior Enlisted Leader Chief Electronics
Technician Nicholas Howell. "Out of his classmates, he is
the one who has the level head to think clearly and
decisively act to contain the situation and help bring about
the best possible solution."
Dennler is a political
science major and member of 20th Company. He completed two
years of college at George Washington University before
transferring to the Naval Academy.
"USNA has taught
me how to work and think in environments where many things
are out of my control, and I think the academy helps to
create mindsets that put others first," said Dennler. "I am
incredibly thankful for those lessons."
An active
member of the academy's Semper Fi Society, he hopes to serve
in the Marine Corps after graduating from the academy in
2019.
By U.S. Naval Academy Public Affairs
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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