Loran Station Saipan Island

LORANGE, David M., Boatswain’s Mate Second Class, USCG (Extraordinary Heroism)
Date of Action: 19 March 1979
Date of Award: 21 June 1979
Petty Officer LORANGE is cited for extraordinary heroism on the afternoon of 19 March 1979 when he rescued a young boy from drowning in the turbulent surf at Agingan Point, Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands. The boy and a friend were fishing off the point when he was swept out to sea by the high surf. His young companion tossed a log out to the boy and ran for help. When advised of the accident, Petty Officer LORANGE and three shipmates from U.S. Coast Guard Loran Monitor Station Saipan immediately proceeded to the scene. Upon arrival, the boy was observed approximately 70-yards offshore, holding on to the log in an area locally known as “Shark Alley.” With complete disregard for his own safety, Petty Officer LORANGE dove off the 10 to 12-foot cliff and swam through the 15-foot breaking surf and 10-foot swells to the helpless boy. Reaching the bleeding victim, Petty Officer LORANGE quickly calmed him down and towed him to the base of the cliff. The other Coast Guardsmen then tossed him a life ring with a line attached. While being pulled to safety, Petty Officer LORANGE maintained his hold on the boy while using his feet to fend off the side of the cliff. With the boy safely ashore, Petty Officer LORANGE, a trained EMT, assisted in treating the boy for shock and lacerations while enroute to the hospital. Petty Officer LORANGE demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger in this rescue. His unselfish actions, courage and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.

 Documents:

Saipan - Saipan Loran Station, Kobler Field in foreground, Loran Station in upper center of photo,
large green area is location 125 ft transmitting tower, family housing near highway

Saipan Loran Station, made after Typhoon Jean which hit on 4/11/1968,
125 ft tower has been replaced, but roof on Signal/Power Building has not been replaced

Saipan, 1967, Barracks Building, left; Mess Hall, right; this is the way it looked when I became CO

Saipan, Barracks and Mess Hall, after 11 April 1968, note Typhoon Jean damage to trees,
building painted "desert sand" which was a more pleasing color

Loran-A Transmitter, probably 20 years old in 1969, and ticking like it was brand new.

Timer room, circa 1968. Loran A timers and Switching unit on the right, Loran-C recorders on the left.

Standing L to R: CS2 "Dino" Bernabe, ET2 Randall ?, SNET Charles W. Ingram, ET2 Billy Salter EN3 Flor, EN3 Timko, ET2 Melvin Schuldt Sitting L to R: SN, EN1, Jesus Cruz (Civ Cook) BMC Glokowski, Civ

This was our groundskeeper whom we named Joe Booney. While mowing the field, Joe would occasionally run into some unexploded ordinance from the war. We would put it in an underground storage area until the Navy EOD team would come down and detonate it.

Joe lived in the hills during the war and supposedly 2 Japanese soldiers came to his hut and tried to kidnap his daughter. Joe fought them off and threw them both off the mountain. (his story, not mine) I did believe him though. He was one tough guy.