Carnegie Hero Fund President Eric Zahren, left, presented the Carnegie Medal to Michael Louis Lesan on Aug. 17 at The Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum in Cincinnati.
The father of two daughters received the honor after he saved a teenage girl from drowning in the Atlantic Ocean on June 22, 2023.
At the presentation, Zahren expanded upon the mission of the Hero Fund and its goal to recognize individuals, such as Lesan, who risk their own lives for others.
“(Through its work) the Hero Fund does not provide the honor, but preserves it, and makes sure that it lasts for all time,” Zahren said. “By telling the stories of heroes, we hope to change the hearts and minds of many – and that is the true and lasting power of the hero.”
It was more than a year ago, off of Edisto Beach, South Carolina, when Lesan, then 41, was vacationing with his family off of Edisto Beach, South Caroline, when he spotted the teenage girl struggling to swim. Winds up to 28 m.p.h., 6-foot waves, and choppy water created hazardous conditions for the girl, and she was carried from shore. Lesan responded, entering the water and swimming 120 feet to her. Holding to her arm, he swam toward shore as waves crashed over them. Both of them were pushed and pulled; the strength of the water caused the girl to submerge with Lesan twice. They began to tire. Once both reached wadable water, the girl walked out of the water on her own. Lesan walked and then crawled a few feet as he exited the water. The girl vomited water on the beach; Lesan was nearly exhausted; both recovered.
The private presentation that was attended by about 25 of Lesan’s family and friends was held at The Carnegie Center, a historic building that was built in 1906 as a gift for the people of Cincinnati by Andrew Carnegie. It was originally a public library.
The Center posted on Facebook that it was “proud” to host the ceremony for Lesan.
