Sailor of the Year 2022 – AWS1 Cale Foy

On May 2, 2021, Petty Officer 1st Class Cale Coy was hiking with his wife and kids near Cabrillo National Monument when he saw a boat going through a seaweed patch. When he and his family reached the beach, she noticed the boat hit the rocks and the people on board, were thrown overboard as the vessel broke up.

As a rescue swimmer, Foy knew what he needed to do and he leaped into action. He and another servicemember on scene began to assess the situation and soon Foy was in the 60-degree water swimming towards the wreckage. All told Foy and the other servicemember, helped to rescue 32 people (yes, 32) and spent over 90 minutes in the frigid water helping to rescue those that needed it. Foy was awarded the Navy-Marine Corps Medal for the lives he saved that day.