Who died in line of duty responding to F/V Sea King after boarding the vessel to treat injuries and then attempting to dewater the vessel?

• A. William Flores
• B. Charles Sexton
• C. John Midgett
• D. John Steadman

Answer: (B)

Rescuers at sea face extreme danger while trying to save others, and dying in the line of duty means giving your life while performing authorized rescue actions. In this scenario, Charles Sexton boarded the F/V Sea King to treat injuries and then tried to dewater the vessel to keep it from sinking. His actions show the willingness to place himself in harm’s way to help the distressed crew and stabilize the vessel, even though it led to his death. That selfless sacrifice under dangerous conditions is what defines a line-of-duty death in this kind of rescue operation, which is why his name is associated with this event.