Alexandria Eagle Scout Honored For Heroic Beach Rescue

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- As people begin to head down to the beaches for Memorial Day weekend, an Alexandria Eagle Scout received a timely honor for his heroic action at the beach last year.

John Daly was awarded the Boy Scouts of America’s Honor Medal for Heroism for saving a boy from a rip current in Ocean City, N.J. on July 8, 2016.

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Daly was in the water when he noticed an 11-year-old boy being pulled into the rip current. When he saw the victim go underwater and come up shouting "help," Daly swam to him.

“I looked over my shoulder and saw a boy bobbing further out than I was. His head was going under water with the waves and he held his hands up,” said Daly. “He was approximately 20 yards away. I swam over to him as fast as I could and I told him that I was there to help and that everything was going to be all right.”

When the boy told Daly he couldn't swim, Daly swam toward the shore with the boy on his back. At that point, a lifeguard assisted in getting the victim to shore.

Daly had earned Merit Badges in swimming, first aid, emergency preparedness, search and rescue, and snorkeling before the rescue. He was presented with the award in March. The Honor Medal is a national award recognizing lifesaving or meritorious action in situations that demonstrate heroism, skill or bravery and reflect Scouting ideals.

Image via Boy Scouts of America