President Trump said Tuesday he will reward a Santa Cruz lifeguard with a “high civilian honor” after he saved a little boy from monster waves that sucked him into the surf.
A 16-year-old lifeguard dove into the water and fought the powerful tide to reach the child and bring him back to shore at Seabright Beach.
“We’re going to bring this heroic young man, and his family, into the White House with, perhaps, the boy he saved, to give him a High Civilian Honor. Very brave, he deserves it! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Trump’s statement comes after his son, Eric Trump, suggested the lifeguard receive a reward.
“Give this 16-year-old lifeguard the highest civilian honor,” he wrote. “This is truly the best of America. Well done!”
Scott Vander Dussen, who captured the dramatic video, told NBC that the boy, about 10 years old, was swept out to sea as wave after wave detonated onto his body.
“It caught a lot of people off-guard,” said Vander Dussen. “Unfortunately, this young man was overwhelmed and swept out in just a moment’s time.”
“I’m glad it ended the way it did,” Vander Dussen said. “I’m certain if the lifeguards weren’t there, he wouldn’t have gone home that night.”
Other beachgoers and a second lifeguard rushed to the rescue, helping carry the boy back to safety.
The boy was evaluated by paramedics and reunited with family, according to NBC.
Santa Cruz lifeguards are highly trained and must complete at least 56 hours of lifeguard instruction, 24 hours of medical certification training, and more than 80 hours of marine safety lifeguard training.
Treacherous waves are battering California’s coast with the coming of summer swells.
It’s unclear what award Trump will give to the 16-year-old lifeguard.
The highest civilian honor is the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but is usually only awarded for contributions to “the security or national interests of the United States, or world peace, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
The Presidential Citizens Medal could be the award the president grants to the lifeguard. It is awarded to “citizens of the United States of America who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.”
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