Marine honored for carrying triathlete across finish line

CORRY AIR STATION, Fla. (WALA) - Rep. Jeff Miller will honor a young Marine of Marine Detachment Corry Station at an 11 a.m. ceremony this Friday on board Corry Station.

Marine Private First Class Matthew Morgan, 19, of San Diego, Calif., gained national fame when he carried Ben Baltz, 11, of nearby Valparaiso, Fla., across the finish line during the third annual Sea Turtle Tri Kids triathlon on Oct. 7, 2012.

Baltz, a bone cancer survivor, lost his right leg when he was six. But now, he regularly runs triathlons and other athletic competitions throughout Northwest Florida with the help of a prosthetic device.

Halfway through the running portion of the triathlon, Baltz’s prosthetic failed and he fell into the sugary white sand of Pensacola Beach. Morgan, who was manning a water station along the route, ran to assist the young athlete.

When it became obvious the prosthetic was not repairable, Morgan offered Baltz a ride – piggy-back style – to the finish line.

Together, the pair crossed the finish line and victory to cheers and tears from the onlookers.

Miller, who represents Florida’s First Congressional District serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, will meet the young Marine along with his Commanding Officer Capt. Frank Anderson during the ceremony, and present Morgan with a congressional coin and his personal congratulations for a job well done and upholding the finest traditions of the United States Marine Corps.

Cory Pippin will have more from the ceremony on FOX10 News at 5 p.m.