ALAMEDA, Calif. - ALAMEDA, Calif. - Vivian Robinson (right) and Catherine Robinson, the sister and niece of Emlen Tunnell, hold the Silver Lifesaving Medal presented by Rear Adm. Joseph "Pepe" Castillo to posthumously honor Tunnell's efforts while serving in the Coast Guard. Additionally, the Coast Guard Island gymnasium now bears the name of Emlen Tunnell because of his heroic actions in saving the lives of two people during his Coast Guard career and for his achievements as a professional athlete in helping to break the color barrier in the National Football League. Emlen Tunnell served as a steward's mate in the Coast Guard from 1943-1946 and is a NFL Hall of Famer U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Rachel Polish.
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