{"id":24205,"date":"2021-03-17T23:30:30","date_gmt":"2021-03-17T23:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/03\/17\/camp-lejuene-marine-awarded-highest-non-combat-medal-for-rescuing-10-year-old-boy-from-ocean-rip-current\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:47:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:47:22","slug":"camp-lejuene-marine-awarded-highest-non-combat-medal-for-rescuing-10-year-old-boy-from-ocean-rip-current","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2021\/03\/17\/camp-lejuene-marine-awarded-highest-non-combat-medal-for-rescuing-10-year-old-boy-from-ocean-rip-current\/","title":{"rendered":"Camp Lejeune Marine awarded highest noncombat medal for rescuing 10-year-old boy from ocean rip current"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In early 2019 Sgt. Danny McDonald was taking advantage of the southern weather and enjoying a day at the beach in Surf City, North Carolina, when suddenly he heard shouts from a kid from the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first he thought it was just another child playing in the water, but he quickly realized the screams were a plea for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI realized the screaming was becoming more and more frequent and a lot louder, and a crowd was gathering at the beach. I got up to see what was going on and I saw him struggling out in the water,\u201d McDonald said in a Marine Corps press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI immediately sprinted across the sand and dove into the water.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t