Barnegat Light Coast Guardsman Awarded For Saving Lives

BARNEGAT LIGHT, N.J. — The waves soared to 12 feet and the winds howled in the dark night June 8. Barnegat Light Coast Guardsman's duty section received a call for help.

Thornton led his crew 20 miles off Barnegat Light in a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat to bring a man to safety. The Petty Officer 2nd Class received the 2018 Coast Guard Crd. Ray Evans Outstanding Coxswain Trophy, the USCG announced Friday. The award distinguishes one coxswain for their skill in operating boats, leadership and exceptional performance.

“Petty Officer Thornton did a flawless job on his search and rescue cases which went into his selection for the Cdr. Ray Evans award,” said Chief Warrant Officer Paul Ashley, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light.

On the night of the rescue, Thornton took the rower aboard and placed the rowboat in two. Then he conducted a challenging bar transit with waves breaking 12 to 14 feet.

Thornton consistently comes through in challenging cases and weather scenarios, and his approachable personality lends itself to helping new members, Ashley said.

“Personally, this means the world to me,” Thornton said of his nomination for trophy recipient. “It’s truly an honor and something I would have never believed that I would obtain during my career, and I’m beyond humbled by it.”

Throughout 2018, Thornton participated in 23 search and rescue cases, saving 13 lives and $289,345 in property.

Thornton said his mentors in Barnegat Light and Oregon, as well as the National Motor Lifeboat School, helped shape his career. The school taught him skills he still uses for surf and heavy weather navigation.

“For me, what stands out about Eric is his calmness,” said Chief Petty Officer Robert Shay. “You really have to be even-keeled under pressure type of person as a Surfman, and he carries that not only in the surf, but his approach to everything in life.”

The Cdr. Ray Evans Outstanding Coxswain Trophy is named after Coast Guard Crd. Ray Evans, a recipient of the Navy Cross. He served alongside Douglas Munro, the Coast Guard recipient of the Medal of Honor, in the NavalBattle of Guadalcanal between the United States and Japan in World War II.

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