Our community has another reason to be proud this week. A Brick native serving in the U.S. Coast Guard has earned one of the military's most prestigious honors for an extraordinary act of courage that saved a stranger's life.
Yeoman Second Class Cody Dmochowski, currently stationed at Training Center Cape May, has been named the 2026 USO Coast Guardsman of the Year. He's one of just seven service members across the entire country selected for this recognition, which celebrates exceptional acts of bravery and commitment to service.
A Critical Moment, A Lifesaving Response
The honor stems from Dmochowski's quick thinking and decisive action when he came upon a serious motorcycle crash while off duty. The scene was chaotic—the victim had been thrown from the motorcycle into a heavily wooded area and was suffering from a compound fracture with significant blood loss.
Without hesitation, Dmochowski put his own safety at risk and rushed into the difficult terrain to locate the injured rider. What happened next showcased the kind of training and character that defines our local heroes. He simultaneously rendered emergency care, assessed the victim's condition, and relayed critical information to dispatchers—all while navigating challenging wooded terrain.
Recognizing the high risk of spinal injury, Dmochowski instructed the victim to remain still, preventing potentially catastrophic further damage. He stayed at the scene for over an hour, providing comfort and reassurance until first responders arrived. According to the USO, his immediate and heroic intervention was likely the difference between life and death for the crash victim.
Going Beyond the Call of Duty
Dmochowski's compassion didn't end when the ambulance arrived. He later traveled to the hospital to check on the victim's condition and has continued to provide support to both the survivor and their family. This level of dedication reflects the values we celebrate in Ocean County—looking out for one another and following through when it matters most.
Shaping the Next Generation of Coast Guardsmen
Beyond his heroic rescue, Dmochowski serves in a critical leadership role at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May. As a Company Commander, he's one of only 56 specialists in the entire Coast Guard entrusted with transforming civilians into military service members.
His work comes during a particularly demanding period—the Coast Guard has seen a 25 percent increase in recruit throughput without a corresponding increase in Company Commanders. That means Dmochowski and his fellow instructors are doing more with less, maintaining the highest standards while training the next generation of Coasties who will protect our shores.
National Recognition Coming in April
Dmochowski will be honored at the USO's annual gala on April 16 in Washington, D.C., where he'll stand alongside fellow service members from across the military branches who have demonstrated extraordinary courage and commitment.
The USO Service Members of the Year awards recognize individuals whose actions reflect dedication to duty both on and off assignment—exactly what Dmochowski demonstrated when he encountered that motorcycle crash and chose to act.
For those of us who call Brick and Ocean County home, Dmochowski's recognition is a reminder of the remarkable people living and serving in our community. His quick thinking, compassionate follow-through, and daily commitment to training future Coast Guard members embody the best of what it means to serve—both in uniform and as a neighbor ready to help when someone needs it most.
