Just another day
on the job

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Ashley Climaldi had a busy summer as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard.
A seaman soon to be a petty officer third class, Climaldi helped save a 3-year-old child from choking. The following week, she was part of a rescue team that saved the life of a state trooper who had fallen off his boat. That same day, she assisted in the rescue of three people stranded in the water.
Her crew and supervisor, Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Love, thought she deserved recognition, so they nominated her for the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey Military Service Member of the Year Awards.
The awards committee agreed and chose Climaldi as the Coast Guard honoree. She was recognized on Friday night at the USO’s 66th Anniversary Liberty Gala, hosted by television personality Nancy Glass.
"I cried when I found out," she said. "I’m so honored."
Climaldi, 20, attended St. Josaphat Elementary School and St. Hubert High School (class of 2005). She lives on Jackson Street in Tacony.
Upon graduation, she enlisted in the Coast Guard and attended boot camp. She was assigned to Station Cape May at the Jersey shore. She’s signed up for a four-year commitment. After that, she could either stay in the Coast Guard or pursue another line of work, such as being a paramedic.
In the warm-weather months, staff members at Station Cape May are assigned to other Jersey shore points because of an influx of vacationers.
In Climaldi’s case, she was sent to Station Townsend’s Inlet, in Sea Isle City.
While on break one day in July, she was eating lunch at Sunset Bay restaurant in North Wildwood when a 3-year-old girl began to choke.
"She wasn’t breathing at all," she recalled.
In response, Climaldi — a certified emergency medical technician — lifted the girl’s arms above her head and stuck her hand down the youngster’s throat to dislodge the food. The girl survived.
The next week, an off-duty captain in the New Jersey State Police fell off a boat near the Avalon Point Marina. The others on the boat pulled him back on, and Climaldi and her crew arrived on the scene moments later.
The Coast Guard personnel placed the man — who was not breathing and turning blue — on a flat deck, and soon water began pouring out of his mouth. He lived and suffered no further injuries.
"If we got there a minute later, he wouldn’t have survived," Climaldi said.
After that harrowing ordeal, Climaldi was getting refreshed when a call came that three people were stranded in the water after their boat capsized in Avalon. The Coast Guard crew responded and made their second successful rescue of the day.
Climaldi doesn’t consider any of her actions to be heroic.
"It’s just part of my job," she said.
So, that’s why she was so surprised to win the prestigious honor.
"I’m just twenty-year-old me from Philly," she said.
The young woman received all kinds of accolades. She was honored by the Philadelphia Eagles as a Hometown Hero. The team brought her onto the field at halftime and introduced her to the crowd at the Sept. 17 Monday Night Football game against the Washington Redskins.
Climaldi was one of four military members honored by the USO. The others represented local branches of the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.
The Coast Guard honoree and her mom, Diane, were busy on Friday. They were treated to lunch at the Union League, then went to the City Hall office of Councilman Frank Rizzo (R-at large), who presented all of the winners with citations.
Next, they took a trip across the Delaware River for a tour and photos on the Battleship New Jersey.
In the evening, they enjoyed a formal gala and overnight stay at the Marriott Hotel at 12th and Market streets.
Climaldi is thankful to the USO (United Service Organizations), a privately funded group that provides meals, recreational and entertainment activities and other services for military members and their families. The local organization’s headquarters at Terminal D of Philadelphia International Airport is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
As she neared high school graduation, Climaldi was looking to do something resourceful with her life. She appears to have found her calling by enlisting in the Coast Guard.
"I’m glad I did it," she said. "I love my job." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com