U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Trace Drugolenski, 347th Operations Support Squadron commanders enlisted executive, front left, and Airman 1st Class Orlando Martinez, 23rd Operations Support Squadron targeting analyst, front right, pose for a photo after receiving Air and Space Commendation medals from Col. Paul Sheets, 23rd Wing commander, center, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Aug. 23, 2024. (Leonid Soubbotine/U.S. Air Force)

Two airmen received Air and Space Commendation medals at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., on Aug. 23 for their heroic efforts which led to saving a drowning man’s life at Panama Beach, Fla., in March, according to base news release.

Airman 1st Class Trace Drugolenski, 347th Operations Support Squadron commander’s enlisted executive, and Airman 1st Class Orlando Martinez, 23rd Operations Support Squadron targeting analyst, were on leave enjoying the white sand beach and turquoise waters until a lone man catching waves on a jet ski flew off the watercraft — after a couple of minutes, there was no sight of the man in the water.

Drugolenski and Martinez ran down the beach and jumped in the choppy ocean waves to attempt an impromptu search and rescue.

“We just acted, and there was no thought whatsoever,” Martinez said. “Drugolenski was swimming in front of me, hopped on the jet ski and was able to jump-start it. While searching for the man, we looked back onto the beach because there’s a whole crowd watching, and they were pointing in the same direction. We saw the guy floating face down with the life preserver on him.”

With the assistance of another person who was able to swim out to lend a hand, the airmen were able to get the man out of the water, onto the craft and back to shore where first responders arrived to provide higher-level medical care.

“I flipped him over, and he’s all black, blue and purple,” Martinez said. “I’m trying to check for consciousness, trying to get a reaction, letting him know my name and getting no response. We keep trying to get him aboard and keep failing, nearly flipping the jet ski two or three times.”

The man slipped into a coma for two months — but because to the fast response of the Airmen and first responders on the beach that day, he was able to make a full recovery.

“I don’t know if I would have done that before I was in the military; whether I would’ve been the guy who had to think about what I’ve done for a week or be a guy on the beach, who has to think about it his whole life,” Drugolenski said. “I’d rather be the guy who took the risk.”