A 2014 Waterville Central School graduate received a rarely-given medal for his part in saving a family caught in the ocean currents in North Carolina.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Anders Larson, a 2014 WCS graduate, last month received from the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. Three other Marines involved in the June 2018 rescue also received the honor, which is the highest non-combat decoration given by the Marine Corps.
Larson is the son of Tammy and Reid Larson of Waterville. His accomplishments before graduating include earning the rank of Eagle Scout.
On Father’s Day June 2018, Larson, and fellow Marines Timothy Watson, Leary Reichartwarfel and Austin McMullen were enjoying a day off at Atlantic Beach, N.C. The four were stationed at nearby Camp Lejeune.
According to a story in the Marine Corps Times, the four men saw a family of four about 100 yards from shore caught in the ocean’s rip current, which is a narrow band of fast moving water. The Marines yelled to the family to float on…