The hardy courage and humanity of your action in springing overboard in a squall of violent wind and rain, at the peril of your life, and saving this stranger, cannot fail to be appreciated, and fully deserves the public recognition and esteem which the award of a medal to you, involves. In sending you this testimonial to your brave and humane conduct, I am deeply gratified that it was so well won, and by a seaman of the revenue marine.
Very respectfully,
John Sherman,
Secretary.
Malachi Corbell, Keeper of Life Saving Station No. 5, District No. 6, for rescuing two men from a capsized boat, near Caffrey's Inlet, North Carolina, November 14, 1875. Awarded November 23, 1877.
Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary
Washington, D. C., March 12, 1878.
To
Captain Malachi Corbell,
Keeper of Life Saving Station No. 5,
District No. 6, Caffrey's Inlet, N. C.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a life-saving medal of the second class, which has been awarded to you, under authority of the seventh section of the Act of Congress approved June 20, 1874, in recognition of your services in saving the lives of Willis Westcott and James Gray, near Caffrey's Inlet, North Carolina, on the 25th of November, 1875.
It appears that these two men were clinging to a capsized boat in a heavy sea, two of their companions having already been drowned, and that you went out to their relief, and succeeded in bringing them to shore in an exhausted condition, at the peril of your own life, your boat being also capsized in the effort. Such an action, as marked by manly energy, courage and humanity, denotes no less the worthy keeper of a Life-Saving Station than a good and gallant man, and I have peculiar pleasure in transmitting to you this medal as the memorial of noble conduct and character.
Very respectfully,
John Sherman,
Secretary.