b'Pendleton MarineSwims 250 Meters, Saves Drowning CoupleStory by Lance Cpl. Angela WilcoxMarine Corps Base Camp Pendletonhttps://www.dvidshub.net/news/389446/pendleton-marine-swims-250-meters-saves-drowning-coupleA young Marine was recognized for actions taken on Feb. 15th, 2021, when he saved the lives of two civilian kayakers at the 21 Area Boat Basin. Cpl. Jordan Perez, a combat engineer with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, was present when a married couple was calling for help from the water. The boat basin,U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Dan Conley, right, the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, speaks to U.S. Marine Cpl. Jordan Perez, a combat engineer with 7th Engineer surrounded by large, sharp boulders, producedSupport Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, in the 21 Area of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Perez was awarded a challenge coin for saving a couple after their kayak flipped over in the Camp Pendleton 21 unforgiving waves that day that flipped theirArea Boat Basin. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alison Dostie)kayak. Through these waves, Perez estimated thatFor his actions, Perez was paid a visit by Conley he had to swim 250 meters to reach the kayakersand received a challenge coin at the worksite and bring them to shorea feat that may havewhere the event occurred.proven impossible for some. Luckily for the couple,While Perez was not the only Marine to recognize Perez was physically and mentally prepared due the severity of the situation, he was particularly to the consistent and rigorous training of theready for this moment. Perez is currently training Marine Corps. with a retired reconnaissance Marine in order Perez received a challenge coin from U.S. Marineto prepare for assessment and selection with Brig. Gen. Dan Conley, the commanding generalthe Marine Raiders. Achieving this goal includes of Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corpsswimming for about two hours every day.Base Camp Pendleton, on Feb. 19th, 2021. PerezPerezs hard work paid off when it mattered credits his military training with giving him themost. That [training] takes away any hesitation confidence to jump into action. that comes with putting your own life at risk. Since At around 1 p.m. on Feb. 15th, 2021, Perez wasI had been training, I was confident that I could get working on a construction project at the 21 Areamyself out there and get those people back.Boat Basin aboard Camp Pendleton, when anotherConley had a conversation with Perez, commending Marine witnessed a couple in the water that hadhim for his life saving actions. Id like to believe been flipped from their kayak by a strong wave.a lot of people would do what you did, but I know The kayakers were struggling in the water andthey wouldnt. So, to hear it actually happenbegan calling for help. is just amazing. That was really gutsy of you.Thats when I took action, said Perez. I tooksaid Conley. my boots off and just started swimming. Although Perez does not fall under the Once Perez arrived at the scene, he immediatelyMCIWEST chain of command, Conley wanted to grabbed the womans hand and pulled her backpersonally thank him for his heroics. A challenge on the kayak and began pushing the boat backcoin is presented to Marines that go above and to the rocks, said Perez. He mentioned that thebeyond, and any further awards will be processed womans husband was able to swim, but halfwayin due time by his chain of command.to the shore he began to panic. Upon noticing theAlthough the actions that Perez took were husbands struggle, Perez swam back to where theheroic, Perez contends that all Marines, given man was, placed a life vest on him, and continuedthe opportunity, would do the same. Its what pushing the woman to safety. Marines are expected to do. said Perez. J12 Military Appreciation Resource Magazine HApril 2021H Thank You For Your Service'