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Coast Guard Swimmer Dies After Week in ER: Washington and Oregon Coast Pay Tribute

Published 03/06/26 at 6:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Astoria, Oregon) – For much of this week, thousands if not tens of thousands of Pacific Northwest residents were sending out their warmest vibes and most adamant prayers for the best. The Coast Guard swimmer from the Astoria area who had been critically injured in an operation off northern U.S. waters was hanging by a thread. (Jaggers - courtesy USCG )
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Early Friday, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) officials announced the death of Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Jaggers, who succumbed to injuries sustained during a rescue operation off the Oregon and Washington coast. Jaggers, an aviation survival technician assigned to Air Station Astoria, died the evening of March 5.

Jaggers was part of an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew responding to a medical emergency aboard the commercial motor vessel *Momi Arrow* on Feb. 27. The ship was located roughly 120 nautical miles west of Cape Flattery when Jaggers was critically injured during the rescue.

He was first transported to Victoria General Hospital in British Columbia before being transferred to Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma. During his hospitalization, the Coast Guard honored him in a ceremony attended by family and fellow crew members, awarding him the Distinguished Flying Cross and meritorious advancement to Petty Officer Second Class in recognition of what officials described as extraordinary heroism. He passed away shortly afterward.


Jaggers - courtesy USCG

“Aviation Survival Technician Jaggers represented the very best of our Service and the Aviation Rescue Swimmer community,” said Admiral Kevin Lunday, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. “He demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of danger, upholding the highest standards of courage and excellence for Coast Guard operations. We honor his selfless actions and unwavering devotion to our highest calling: to save others. His family has our deepest condolences and steadfast support, and we continue to honor their privacy during this very difficult time.”

Jaggers joined the Coast Guard in January 2022 and had served at Air Station Astoria since April 2024. He was previously recognized for superior performance by the Secretary of Homeland Security while serving aboard the Coast Guard Cutter *Legare* during operations in the Caribbean Sea.

Up and down the north Oregon coast and Washington coast, fire and rescue departments from all over posted tributes to Jaggers right after it happened. So many in these areas of Cannon Beach, Seaside, Astoria and Long Beach knew the man and had worked on operations with him.

The Coast Guard has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and will release additional information as it becomes available.

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