2004 Navy Times Coast Guardsman of the Year

Drew D. Dazzo
Aviation Survival Technician, 3rd Class

U.S. Coast Guard Station
St. Clair Shores, Michigan

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. - Aviation Survival Technician Third Class Drew D. Dazzo embodies the Coast Guard’s heritage of saving lives and selfless service to others. Whether flying combat rescue missions in Iraq, serving as a mentor to his fellow crewmen or jumping into heavy seas to save someone in distress, Petty Officer Dazzo is “Always Ready.”

While serving as the lone rescue swimmer during a six-month deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell, Petty Officer Dazzo flew more than 50 missions and used his rescue swimmer skills and medical training during 4 rescues involving medical evacuations during wartime conditions. Out of concern for his fellow crewmembers preparing for deployment, he personally took it upon himself to research and then conduct training on the use of body armor and weapons-compatible safety vests not typically in the Coast Guard inventory. He became dual-qualified as a flight crewman enabling him to augment crews and increase the flying readiness of his detachment. “If I had 30 people like him working for me, I could get rid of 100 others,” said the chief of his detachment during Iraqi Freedom. “He is willing to take any job.”

Back at the Air Station, Petty Officer Dazzo made several daring rescues, saving the life of an appendicitis victim hundreds of miles offshore and treating a crewman aboard an Iranian freighter in a situation with international implications. He has volunteered for color guard duty, at Hilo High School, and represented the Air Station at several community events. Always helping fellow coasties, he has prepared several airmen for the rigorous training and education needed for one to become a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer. His division officer says, “He looks out for his shipmates, treating everyone as if they were his own family.”

A native of Ridge, New York, Petty Officer Dazzo and his wife Deborah have one daughter. Please join all of our readers as we salute Aviation Survival Technician Third Class Drew D. Dazzo as this year’s Navy Times Coast Guardsman of the Year.