The Gold Lifesaving Medal is awarded for rescue actions of extreme and heroic saving or attempting to save another from drowning, a shipwreck or other perils at sea.

• A. Bronze Star
• B. Silver Lifesaving Medal
• C. Gold Lifesaving Medal
• D. Navy Cross

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is recognizing the hierarchy of U.S. lifesaving decorations and what level of risk they represent. The Gold Lifesaving Medal is the highest award for rescue actions that are extreme and heroic—saving or attempting to save someone from drowning, a shipwreck, or other dangers at sea. It signifies extraordinary risk and conspicuous valor.

The Silver Lifesaving Medal covers serious rescues but not at the same extraordinary level of peril, while the Bronze Lifesaving Medal is for less extreme situations. The Bronze Star and Navy Cross are combat valor awards, not lifesaving recognitions, so they don’t apply to rescue at sea. Therefore, the Gold Lifesaving Medal is the best fit for extreme, heroic saving actions at sea.