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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Rangers Honored With Valor Awards

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By Compiled From N... - November 18th, 2022

Lake Superior at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore/NPS

Two rangers from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore rin Michigan have received a Department of Interior Valor Award for their actions during rescue operations for two Lake Superior kayakers caught in gale force winds while paddling within the national lakeshore in September 2021.   

Pictured Rocks Chief Ranger Joe Hughes/NPS

Receiving the honors were Chief Ranger Joe Hughes and Ranger Matthew Nemeth. Additional crew members during the operation were National Park Service volunteer Lynnea Fredrikson and Michigan State Trooper Trever Kirkpatrick-Bray. They were recognized with a Citizen Bravery Award during the ceremony. 

Gale force winds up to 35 knots and waves occasionally reaching 7 feet proved too much for the kayakers, who swamped in the rough water and died. The Park Service identified the two victims as Kimberly Aiello of Troy, Michigan, and David Delegato of Shelby Township, Michigan.

“Although the two kayakers sadly did not survive, I am very proud of the heroic efforts Joe, Matt, Lynnea, and Trever made to try to rescue them,” said Pictured Rocks Superintendent David Horne. “They all represented themselves and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore admirably, with honor, and with courage.” 

Pictured Rocks Ranger Matthew Nemeth/NPS

The four crew members in the National Park Service boat “Arrowhead” battled high winds and 5 to 7 foot waves during the search, which covered an area over 516 square miles. 

The award citation reads, in part:  

"The high level of operational risk during this search and recovery effort was undeniable. To reiterate the point, the U.S. Coast Guard incident log had an entry that noted the Operational Risk Management (ORM) rating for this operation was ‘medium/high with no mitigation possible’. The operational conditions stretched the limits of the Arrowhead crew, but they persevered without hesitation or complaint. While two fatalities were not the desired outcome, this incident underscored the leadership, training, preparation, and courage of the Arrowhead crew."

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