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Casualty Info
Home Town Hempstead, New York
Last Address USCGC Escanaba (WPG-77), North Atlantic
Casualty Date Jun 13, 1943
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Other Explosive Device
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Buried at Sea, North Atlantic Ocean
Wall/Plot Coordinates Body lost at sea/not recovered.
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed
Details Behind Award
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Ensign Richard A. Arrighi, United States Coast Guard, for heroic and courageous conduct in effecting the rescue of survivors from the torpedoed S.S. DORCHESTER on 3 February 1943. When the benumbed survivors of S.S. DORCHESTER were unable, because of heavy seas and freezing winds, to make any efforts to climb on board the rescue ship, Ensign Arrighi volunteered for the dangerous task of going over side and working in rough freezing water in order to assist the exhausted and helpless survivors in reaching the safety of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter U.S.S. ESCAMBIA. In spite of strong, sub-freezing wind and rough, near-freezing seas, he disregarded all discomforts and danger and worked with complete disregard of his own safety until he and fellow volunteers had rescued a total of 93 survivors from certain death in steadily mounting seas. The bravery, determination and disregard for his own safety displayed by Ensign Arrighi in assisting in the rescue of almost 100 helpless survivors were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
