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13th Coast Guard District Public Affairs

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Photo Release

Date: October 12, 2011

Contact: 13th District Public Affairs

(206) 220-7237

Photo Release: Sen. Merkley meets with, recognizes Air Station Astoria rescue swimmer

 Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley takes time from his Oct. 5 scheduled to meet with and honor Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher R. Austin, who was awarded United Service Organization's (USO) Coast Guardsman of the Year. Austin, an aviation survival technician at Air Station Astoria, Ore., was recognized by the USO, during an Oct. 6 ceremony, and chosen for superior performance of duty during his first day as a qualified rescue swimmer after a vessel capsized in the pounding surf of Willapa Bay, Wash., Dec. 18, 2010. Photo provided by Sen. Merkley's office.           Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley takes time from his Oct. 5 scheduled to meet with and honor Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher R. Austin, who was awarded United Service Organization's (USO) Coast Guardsman of the Year. Austin, an aviation survival technician at Air Station Astoria, Ore., was recognized by the USO, during an Oct. 6 ceremony, and chosen for superior performance of duty during his first day as a qualified rescue swimmer after a vessel capsized in the pounding surf of Willapa Bay, Wash., Dec. 18, 2010. Photo provided by Sen. Merkley's office.

SEATTLE — Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley honors the Coast Guard's service by taking time from his Oct. 5, 2011 scheduled to meet with and recognize the accomplishments of Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher R. Austin, who was awarded the United Service Organization's (USO) Coast Guardsman of the Year award.

Austin's family was in attendance during the meeting at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.

Austin, an aviation survival technician at Air Station Astoria, Ore., was recognized by the USO, during an Oct. 6, 2011 ceremony, and chosen for his superior performance of duty during his first day as a qualified rescue swimmer after a vessel capsized in the pounding surf of Willapa Bay, Wash., Dec. 18, 2010.

More information on the rescue and the USO's recognition can be found at http://goo.gl/fGrnb.   

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