Rescue Earns Top Coast Guard Medal

The night before New Year’s Eve was treacherous for five men on a 79-year-old wooden boat that sprung a leak and quickly sank in the Gulf of Alaska. Waves up to 80 feet tossed the fishermen. Winds gust to 80 mph.

Four of the men managed to tie themselves together. The fifth disappeared in the angry sea. Two U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crews attempted a rescue but were unsuccessful.

Then, a third helicopter crew, led by Coast Guard Cmdr. Theodore C. Le Feuvre, who grew up in La Habra, arrived. The crew worked for hours trying to get a rescue basket down to the fishermen while fighting to avoid the giant waves crashing just a few feet below them.

About 2 a.m., seven hours after the boat sank, Le Feuvre’s crew was able to get the basket close enough for the men to climb in. Bob Doyle was hoisted up first. Then Mike DeCapua and William Mork. The skipper, Mark Morley, fell and was face down in the water. He didn’t respond to the basket and could not be saved. His body was recovered later. The fifth man, David Hanlon, was never found.

Le Feuvre recently received the Coast Guard’s highest honor--the Distinguished Flying Cross--for his heroism. His crew also was honored with the award.

The experience was a sobering one for the 46-year-old commander, who described it as “very, very traumatic and surprising.”

“The conditions were so extreme and so many people came close to dying,” he said. “Although we lost two people, there’s three people back with their families who wouldn’t otherwise be back with their families.”

Local leaders said they are proud of the La Habra High School graduate and former La Habra boy scout.

Le Feuvre, soon to be transferred from Sitka, Alaska to Miami, credits all three helicopter crews for saving the fishermen.

“It was just phenomenal,” he said. “I hope that I never have to go through anything like that again.”