ARLINGTON, VA., March 22, 2023 – Military Times and the Military Times Foundation and have announced that U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (HM2) Anthony Anglikowski has received the 2023 “Sailor of the Year” award.  Founded in 2001, the Military Times’ Service Member of the Year program honors outstanding military members from each branch of service who have demonstrated exemplary military service going beyond the call of duty. A formal award ceremony will take place on July 18, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

HM2 Anglikowski – a Search and Rescue Medical Technician (SMT) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider who is part of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s (NASWI) search and rescue team in Washington State – was awarded the Navy Marine Corps Medal in 2022, the highest non-combat award for heroism. He was recognized for bravery following a dangerous search and rescue mission on The Brothers mountains in Washington’s Olympic National Forest, where he and his team attempted to rescue two endangered hikers who had lost their footing while descending an icy slope.

After ensuring the first hiker was stable, Anglikowski and the team tried unsuccessfully to get a verbal response from the second hiker in the crevasse. Moving quickly, Anglikowski and three other rescue personnel developed a suspension system to reach the victim.  A snow pack-fueled waterfall flowed through the recovery scene, significantly complicating the rescue mission.  Anglikowski and one other team member risked their own lives to descend into the crevasse and reach the hiker, who had unfortunately died.

As the primary Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider, Anglikowski conducted 15 search and rescue (SAR) missions in the remote environment of the Pacific Northwest, including four successful MEDEVAC missions of a critically ill and/or injured patients. His expertise and efforts were immediately responsible for saving the lives of 15 people and he received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroics. As the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) search and rescue (SAR) operations assistant leading petty officer, he trained and qualified five SMT who completed 27 Rescue missions, 16 MEDEVACS, and five searches with 39 lives delivered to hospital care resulting in the squadron’s recognition as the “SAR Unit of the Year” and his individual recognition as “Rescue Crewman of the Year.”

He was hand-selected to be the primary point of contact with Sikorsky Aircraft Incorporated, where he diligently worked with their Rescue Award Team for the submission of 43 SAR missions resulting in 193 Sikorsky Rescue Awards between NASWI SAR and NMRTCOH.  He orchestrated 21 hours of outreach and helicopter training sessions with Seattle Mountain Rescue, Jefferson County SAR, Olympic National Park, and the King County Paramedic Program for future multilateral SAR operations. Additionally, he has dedicated over 100 hours as a volunteer firefighter in the local community.

“Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Anthony Anglikowski’s dedication to serving his country, his community, and his fellow man embodies the values of the Military Times Foundation,” said Michael Reinstein, Chairman of Military Times Foundation.  “We are proud to recognize him as our 2023 Sailor of the Year, and grateful for his heroic efforts in search and rescue. His commitment to excellence and selflessness serve as an inspiration to us all.”

The Military Times Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) established to recognize, salute and highlight the exemplary service of active duty personnel serving in each branch of the U.S. Armed Services.

The annual Military Times Service Members of the Year Award has grown into a much-anticipated event. The awards ceremony has become one of Washington D.C.’s A-list events attended by congressional, military and community leaders.  Since 2019 Military Times and the Military Times Foundation have donated over $15 million in cash and media value to support over 150 military and veteran service organizations, such as Fisher House, Children of Fallen Patriots, TAPS, Objective Zero and others.

The full story about HM2 Anthony Anglikowski can be found on NavyTimes.com

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Contact

Kelly Facer
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kfacer@mco.com
servicemembersoftheyear.org

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