A Sailor from the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Sept. 28 for assisting in the rescue of a Pensacola woman trapped in a sinking automobile.

CNATT Deputy Technical Support Director Lt. Cmdr. Timothy Ryan received the award for his actions during the accident that occurred on Aug. 11., after several days of heavy rains and significant flooding in the area.

While driving north on Blue Angel Parkway, Ryan witnessed an automobile leave the roadway, strike a culvert and then overturn as it entered a canal.

"I did what any one of us would do," he said. "I responded to the situation, as I think most of us - Sailors or not - would do. I was just thankful that no one was injured."

He immediately pulled his car over and ran to the sinking automobile, jumping into the water and attempting to open the front passenger door. Unable to open the door, Ryan opened the vehicle's back door and entered the partially submerged vehicle.

Ryan said the water was murky, and visibility was low as he held his breath while searching the vehicle for the driver and passengers. Another witness approached the car and was able to free the driver from the opposite side of the vehicle.

Ryan then exited the water and waited with the driver until Florida Highway Patrol personnel arrived at the scene.

CNATT is the technical training agent for the Naval Aviation Enterprise, an organization designed to advance and sustain naval aviation warfighting capabilities at an affordable cost, and is the largest training center under the Naval Education and Training Command.



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