Born: September 11, 1960 11th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, United States Coast Guard (Ret.)
UNITED STATES COAT GUARD COMMAND
Home or Place of Enlistment: Fruitland, Idaho Years of Service: 1982 – 2014
COAST GUARD DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL CITATION
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING Global War on Terror Service: Coast Guard
CITATION: SYNOPSIS: Master Chief Petty Officer Michael P. Leavitt, United States Coast Guard, was awarded the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Master Chief Petty Officer of the United States Coast Guard from 2010 to 2014. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Master Chief Petty Officer Leavitt culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.
CITATION: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Michael P. Leavitt, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the evening of 25 February 2007, while part of a land rescue party from Station Humboldt Bay engaged in the perilous rescue of a man swept off the Humboldt Bay north jetty. Master Chief Petty Officer Leavitt and the other members of the rescue party ran approximately half a mile to the end of the moss-covered, partly awash jetty, between several dolosse, unusually-shaped concrete blocks similar to jacks used to protect harbor walls from the force of the sea. Master Chief Petty Officer Leavitt and another member carefully traversed down the twenty feet over the slippery dolosse to reach the victim and discovered he had multiple contusions, abrasions, and a possible leg fracture. The rescuers decided that the only way to get the victim to safety was to free him from the dolosse and physically carry him to the top of the jetty. While attempting to free the victim, multiple waves exceeding twenty feet in height pummeled the rescuers with such force that the survival helmet was yanked off Master Chief Petty Officer Leavitt’s head, and the rescuers were nearly swept away several times. After freeing the victim, Master Chief Petty Officer Leavitt and the other rescuer carried him between them through breaking waves to the top of the jetty. They quickly determined the victim needed immediate medical attention and ran through breaking surf to the end of the jetty where a waiting Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician began first aid. A helicopter then transferred the victim to the hospital where he eventually made a full recovery. Master Chief Petty Officer Leavitt demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of immediate personal danger in this rescue. His courage and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.