Marine Honored for Saving Girl’s Life

A Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based Marine was honored during a Jan. 10 ceremony for saving a girl’s life during a beach outing last summer. Cp. Brian E. Babineau, a warehouse clerk with Supply Company, 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, had been enjoying a day at North Topsail Beach, N.C., when they heard someone cry for help. “An older woman yelled from next to us ‘help there is a girl drowning out there’,” said Babineau. “As soon as I heard that I started to run to the water and dove in.” Babineau swam out to the girl, who was trapped in rip currents, and told her to wrap her arms around his neck. Because of the rough waters, it took Babineau between 10 and 15 minutes to swim to safety with the girl. “It’s about being willing to act, and that’s why Cpl. Babineau’s actions were so inspirational,” said Lt. Col. Jesse A. Kemp, Babineau’s commander, as he presented the Marine with the Navy Commendation Medal.