05/25/2026
On Memorial Day we take time to remember and honor our shipmates who made the ultimate sacrifice. In Bristol Bay’s Deck Office there resides a small memorial honoring a shipmate who, more than 60 years ago, gave his life in to save another.
His story is not one widely known in the Coast Guard.
His name does not adorn cutters or buildings.
But his story remains, and today we honor him amongst other Coast Guardsmen who gave their lives.
SN Dennis Bauer, USCG.
His award reads:
The Secretary of the Treasury takes pride in presenting the GOLD LIFE-SAVING MEDAL posthumously to
DENNIS ROLAND BAUER, SEAMAN
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
for service as set forth in the following citation:
"For extreme and heroic daring on the morning December 2, 1965, while serving aboard the USCGC BRAMBLE (WLB-392) when he went to the assistance of a fellow Coast Guardsman who was in danger of drowning in the cold waters adjacent to the United States Coast Guard Base, Detroit, MI. SN BAUER was unloading commissary stores on the dock when he heard a crash and saw a forklift plunge into the water about 100 feet up the dock.
The forklift struck a light pole on the dock, knocking it toward the water with its power line still energized.
BAUER and other personnel of the BRAMBLE raced to the scene, jumped down on a raft and tried to reach the man who had panicked and was in danger of drowning.
When BAUER was unable to reach the man, he dived into the frigid water and supported the nearly helpless man. In his efforts to bring the man to safety, he grasped the light pole for support, unaware that the pole's wires were still charged. BAUER apparently received a violent shock, released his hold on the man, and sank beneath the murky waters. BAUER displayed outstanding courage, initiative, and fortitude while sacrificing his own life to save the life of a shipmate.”
On Memorial Day, and every day, we are grateful for those who have made the sacrifice so that others may live.
