Who saved the lives of 2 people from drowning during a hurricane that swept over Penzance Point, Woods Hole, MA on September 21, 1938 and what award was he given?

• A. RM3 John Azeling Steadman, the Gold Lifesaving Medal
• B. RM3 John Azeling Steadman, the Silver Lifesaving Medal
• C. RM2 John Azeling Steadman, the Gold Lifesaving Medal
• D. RM3 James Azeling Steadman, the Gold Lifesaving Medal

Answer: (A)

The event tests recognizing a documented heroic rescue and the honor awarded for it. The person who saved two people from drowning during the hurricane at Penzance Point, Woods Hole, on September 21, 1938, is John Azeling Steadman, who held the rank of Radioman Third Class. For acting under extreme peril to save lives at sea, he received the Gold Lifesaving Medal—the highest U.S. lifesaving decoration. The Gold Lifesaving Medal is reserved for the most perilous rescues, which fits this historic case. The Silver Lifesaving Medal is awarded for significant lifesaving actions that involve risk but not to the same extreme degree, and alternate name/rank variations would not match the documented record.