An Army specialist who was swept out to sea while trying to save a fellow soldier was posthumously awarded the Soldier's Medal on Saturday, according to WVUE.
In July 2015, Spc. Caleb Michael Collins, 22; Spc. Shyhein Andrews, 21; both from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and a friend visited the Halona Beach Cove on the shore of Hawaii.
A wave knocked Andrews off the ledge of the Halona Blowhole, and Collins dove off the 25-foot ledge to try to save him. Collins managed to reach Andrews, but a large wave swept the two men out to sea and they apparently drowned in the rough surf.
Collins was with 524th Sustainment Support Battalion, 25th Sustainment Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, the news report said in referring to a release.
He was honored for his courageous actions, disregarding his own safety and risking his life to try to save a fellow soldier, according to the news report.
Collins was awarded the Soldier's Medal at a ceremony at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans. His parents accepted the award from Col. Gavin Lawrence, commander of 25th Sustainment Brigade.
The Soldier’s Medal is the highest award a soldier can receive for an act of valor in a non-combat situation.
Rachael Kalinyak is an editorial intern with Network Solutions.
