Three USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Sailors received the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, July 25, after coming to the aid of a contractor for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard who was electrocuted while performing streetlight maintenance on Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton when a malfunction occurred, July 7.

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran, during a visit to Nimitz, presented the awards to Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Apprentice Caleb Pagaduan, Electronics Technician (Nuclear) 3rd Class Brenden Blanscet, a native of Indio, California, and Lt. Cmdr. Evan LaFrance, the Reactor Mechanical Assistant (RMA) and a native of Kaneohe, New Mexico, on board.

Pagaduan and Blanscet were walking down the street when the event happened, and managed to help pull the worker from the scene. LaFrance was close by and took control as the on-scene leader after noticing what had happened.

"I was walking back from lunch outside the gate when I heard the bulb shatter," said Pagaduan. "I looked up and saw the guy collapse. I immediately rushed over to the supervisor, and we pulled the guy down. Another shipyard worker began CPR. I got on the phone with 911 and began directing them to the location."

The ships RMA took over from there.

"The RMA took control and told us what we should do," said Blanscet. "Mentally it's helpful when you have more people there to help you. It's reassuring to have had them there."

"I never thought in my life I would come across something like this," said Blanscet.

Emergency personnel arrived shortly after being called and further cared for the patient.

"In the end I'm just happy he's okay, and I was able to help," said Pagaduan.

Safety is always a priority on board the ship. Preventing mishaps and helping those who get injured is paramount to any successful mission.

"It's important to always have a questioning attitude when walking around a workspace and be looking for what can be done better to avoid such mishaps," said Lt. Magus Perkins, the Industrial Hygiene Officer on board the ship. "You're never going to be without total risk. There's always a chance you'll get hurt, but with a team atmosphere you can mitigate the risks to the best of your ability."

Correction Note: This story originally identified the electric shock victim as a Puget Sound Naval Shipyard worker instead of a contractor. The story was corrected Aug. 4 at 8:36 a.m.