Head of Joint Chiefs Awards HS2 Sailor Navy/Marine Corps Medal

In this photo, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen presents Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 1st Class Jesse P. Hubble, from San Diego, Calif., assigned to the "Golden Falcons" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 2, with the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Hubble received the medal for his heroism in the rescue of 7 Sailors from a helicopter that ditched in the ocean while the Lincoln Strike Group was operating off the coast of Southern California in November 2007. Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom as well as maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ronald Dallatorre.)

Face of Defense:

NORTH ARABIAN SEA, Aug. 29, 2008 -- Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen presented the Navy/Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 1st Class (AW) Jesse P. Hubble aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Aug. 27.

Hubble, a member of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 2, was awarded the medal for rescuing seven crewmembers from a crash of a Navy HH-60H helicopter off the coast of Southern California Nov. 9, 2007, while Hubble was embarked during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

“I’m sure he’d say he was just doing his job,” said Mullen. “But, he was more than instrumental in saving seven lives. He was the calm in the eye of the storm. It’s one thing to have the skills, but it’s quite another to execute them.”

According to the award citation, Hubble launched in Hunter 610 to conduct a six-and-a-half hour range night Combat Search and Rescue exercise. While returning to Lincoln, wingman Hunter 616 experienced a controllability failure and ditched at sea. Before being directed to do so, Hubble immediately donned his rescue gear and prepared for water entry. He unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own personal safety entered the low-light, no-moon, open ocean to rescue the seven exhausted survivors.

“Relying on his special training, stamina and courage, he remained in 63-degree water for 45 minutes until all seven survivors were safely hoisted aboard the rescue helicopter. By his courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk, Hubble prevented the loss of seven lives,” the citation read.

The San Diego native has been an AW for 10 years and said he really enjoys what he does.

“When I am up in the sky, I own the back of the helicopter,” he said. “We train everyday, physically and mentally, for any situation that might happen. We prepare for the worst case scenario, and that night was one of the worst. It all happened so fast. You just do what you have to do. I am glad everyone made it out alive.”

Hubble said the award was completely unexpected.

“I never expected any recognition like this,” he said. “It’s a big shock. I have never seen anyone get this award and I never though I’d have something this high on my chest. I really appreciate it. It’s a big day for me.”

(Story by By MC2 Arianne A. Anderson, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs.)

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