Woman Recognized for Making the Ultimate Sacrifice

OAK ISLAND, N.C. – A woman who sacrificed her life to save her daughter in the waters near the Ocean Crest Pier on Oak Island will be posthumously presented one of the Coast Guard’s highest honors in a ceremony at Station Oak Island Saturday at 11 a.m.

Debra Teague will receive the Coast Guard’s Gold Lifesaving Medal for sacrificing her life to rescue her nine-year-old daughter, Brandi, after she was swept out to sea by a strong ocean current.

Hearing the screams of her youngest daughter, Teague, who couldn’t swim, ran into the water to aid the nine year old. Teague was able to reach Brandi and get her safety, but she drowned during the ordeal.

An off duty EMS worker and an N.C. Marine Patrol officer attempted to revive Teague using CPR. She was transported to Dosher Hospital in South Port, N.C., where efforts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead.

Teague’s two daughters, Brandi and Jodi, 13, will accept the award on behalf of their mother during the ceremony.

The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard awards the Gold Lifesaving Medal to any person who at the risk of their own life and through extreme heroic daring, rescues or endeavors to rescue any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other perils of the water.

Woman Recognized for Making the Ultimate Sacrifice

OAK ISLAND, N.C. – A woman who sacrificed her life to save her daughter in the waters near the Ocean Crest Pier on Oak Island will be posthumously presented one of the Coast Guard’s highest honors in a ceremony at Station Oak Island Saturday at 11 a.m.

Debra Teague will receive the Coast Guard’s Gold Lifesaving Medal for sacrificing her life to rescue her nine-year-old daughter, Brandi, after she was swept out to sea by a strong ocean current.

Hearing the screams of her youngest daughter, Teague, who couldn’t swim, ran into the water to aid the nine year old. Teague was able to reach Brandi and get her safety, but she drowned during the ordeal.

An off duty EMS worker and an N.C. Marine Patrol officer attempted to revive Teague using CPR. She was transported to Dosher Hospital in South Port, N.C., where efforts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead.

Teague’s two daughters, Brandi and Jodi, 13, will accept the award on behalf of their mother during the ceremony.

The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard awards the Gold Lifesaving Medal to any person who at the risk of their own life and through extreme heroic daring, rescues or endeavors to rescue any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other perils of the water.