Carnegie Medal presentation to Jonathan Bauer

Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall (left) presented Carnegie Hero awardee Jonathan Bauer of Ocean Pines, Maryland, with the Carnegie Medal at the mayor’s office on March 23, 2022. He was recognized for his heroic rescue of a 23-month-old girl from drowning in Assawoman Bay after she was ejected from a vehicle into the water on May 2, 2021 in Ocean City, Maryland.

Bauer jumped off a bridge into shallow water to pull the child from the water.

The presentation was also attended by Bauer’s family: wife Wendie Bauer and daughter Ava Bauer, who witnessed the rescue, as well as city officials, Berlin Mayor’s Assistant JoAnn Unger, Ocean Pines Association Public Relations Director Josh Davis, and Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola.

Bauer said the award was a true honor, made even more special because he’s originally from Pittsburgh, home to the Carnegie Hero Fund.

“Growing up there and being awarded the Carnegie Medal is just amazing,” he said. “It absolutely was a life-changing moment, not only for me, but for my entire family.”