Firefighter David J. DeFranco Medal

Marine Engineer Joseph C. Stark, Marine Company 1

May 3, 2004, 1711 hours, Box 8435, Marine 1, Hudson River, Manhattan

Appointed to the FDNY on September 25, 1982. Previously assigned to Engine 242 and Marine Companies 9 and 6. Brother, Captain John Stark, is assigned to Ladder 27. Brother, FF Jeffrey Stark, assigned to Engine 230, perished on September 11, 2001. Member of the Holy Name and Emerald Societies. Served in the U.S. Navy from 1977 to 1981 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation. Recipient of two unit citations; and a Class III rating for this incident. Resides in Goshen, New York, with his wife, Mary, and their children, Therese, Monica and Joseph.

One of the first lessons that a Firefighter learns is to expect the unexpected. This proved to be especially true in the late afternoon of May 3, 2004.

Marine Company 1’s quarters are located in the West Village, west of Little West 12th Street on Pier 53, which juts into the Hudson River. The primary craft, The John D. McKean, is moored at the west end on the south side of the pier. Off the north side of the pier is a series of jagged pilings (the remnants of an abandoned pier), which creates a hazard field at least 50 feet wide. Additionally, the water is filled with uneven chunks of concrete and pieces of construction steel rebar. The next closest pier is 200 feet north of Marine 1’s berth.

Shortly after he arrived for the night tour aboard Marine Company 1, Marine Engineer Joseph Stark was being briefed by his colleagues regarding the events of the day tour. As he prepared to board the company’s vessel to check out the engine room, the company was alerted by NYC Parks Department personnel that there was a person in the water adjacent to Marine 1’s location. The unexpected had occurred.

As soon as it was confirmed that a person was in the water, ME Stark immediately went into action. He noted the location of the victim, quickly donned a flotation jacket, climbed onto a four-foot railing and jumped 10 feet into the swirling current. Making the situation more menacing were the time of day--dusk--a water temperature of 48 degrees, the stiff wind, which was blowing against him at 25 knots and a driving rain beating down. In spite of the weather and debris field through which he had to maneuver, ME Stark started swimming toward Ricardo Gonzales, a 39-year-old man.

As ME Stark was making his way toward the victim, Lieutenant James Ahern, the Officer in charge, ordered Marine 1’s auxiliary rescue craft to be launched. When ME Stark reached Mr. Gonzales and grabbed onto him, the victim became extremely combative and resisted any attempt to assist him. As the rainswept seas continued to wash over the two men in the water, ME Stark determined that the victim was emotionally disturbed and both of them were in a dire predicament.

Because of his physical strength, the victim broke free from ME Stark and dove under the waves. The rescuer proceeded to go after Mr. Gonzales, located him among the jagged pilings and, summoning a reserve of strength, held onto him. Finally, with the arrival of Marine Wiper James Donovan--who was equipped with an exposure suit and swam out to where ME Stark and Mr. Gonzales were located--they maintained their position in the choppy water until other members of the company brought the auxiliary craft alongside and assisted in hoisting the combative man aboard. Once on the vessel, the agitated victim had to be physically restrained in order to prevent him from harming himself or members.

Lieutenant Ahern had directed a second auxiliary boat to the scene and its personnel pulled ME Stark and Wiper Donovan from the frigid water. Subsequently, ME Stark was transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital, where he was treated for hypothermia and trauma.

Entering the treacherous waters containing dangerous debris and obstacles did not deter ME Stark from springing into action to save a person from a life-threatening situation. He acted without hesitation and regard for the danger in which he placed himself. As Battalion Chief John Jonas stated in his report “...Stark knew the risk of the conditions and put himself into harm’s way...” For his display of quick action and courage, the Firefighter David J. DeFranco Medal is proudly awarded to Marine Engineer Joseph C. Stark.—BDG