Park Service rangers honored for rescue

Three National Park Service rangers in Tennessee have been recognized for rescuing a man stranded in Big South Fork River. Receiving the Valor Award from Interior Secretary Sally Jewell were rangers Thomas A. Hall, Brett F. Painter and Matt L. Hudson. The three Obed Wild and Scenic River rangers were recognized recently at the Department of Interior's awards convocation ceremony in Washington, D.C. Park Service officials say the rangers were honored for paddling a hazardous whitewater section of the Big South Fork River to rescue a 21-year-old man stranded mid-river without a life jacket. By headlamp and moonlight, the rangers plucked the victim from a small rock last May. The Valor Award recognizes an employee's demonstration of courage involving a high degree of personal risk in the face of danger. AP