The Lifesaving Medal

The Lifesaving Medal is a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate student production created in conjunction with The Wisconsin 101 project, a statewide, collaborative educational exploration of Wisconsin’s diverse, interconnected histories through objects. The creators of The Lifesaving Medal offer an often-overlooked historical account of Wisconsin’s rich seafaring history. Grounded in the significance of the Lifesaving Medal as an award to the women and men who risked everything to ‘go down to the sea in ships’ performing unimaginable, heroic rescues in the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes, this production chronicles the evolution of the U.S. Lifesaving Service here in Wisconsin to what eventually became the United States Coast Guard, who continue to stand the watch as an essential guardian of the Great Lakes’ waterways and coastlines today. Featuring 36-year veteran, U.S. Coast Guard Captain (Ret.), Robert Desh, a Wisconsin-native who recently retired as the Executive Director of the Door County Maritime Museum and is hailed as a ‘Smithsonian Journeys Expert,’ this film offers a deeper appreciation and understanding of the significance of maritime rescues operations in Wisconsin and recognition to all who’ve served for hundreds of years to guard our coasts.