The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Petty Officer Kenneth W. Cochran, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the afternoon of 27 October 1983 while serving as hoist operator and flight mechanic of Coast Guard helicopter HH-3F 1470 engaged in the rescue of the lone survivor from the tug EAGLE which had capsized 65 miles southeast of Yakutat in the Gulf of Alaska. Dispatched from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, the helicopter was flown through severe turbulence, heavy rain, and 70-knot winds to the scene. Arriving on scene, the aircraft was maneuvered at low altitude in an attempt to locate any survivors and after an hour of searching Petty Officer Cochran and the pilot simultaneously located a survivor. Petty Officer Cochran immediately completed preparations for a basket hoist and expertly guided the pilot, who was in a no-reference hoisting situation to a position where he could effect the basket rescue. Despite the 50-foot seas, high winds with extreme turbulence, and sea spray, he successfully delivered the rescue basket to the survivor. With the survivor totally exhausted and unable to get completely into the basket, Petty Officer Cochran quickly called for a reduction in helicopter altitude to safely retrieve him as he clung to the basket. As the survivor reached the aircraft door, Petty Officer Cochran grasped him and pulled him into the aircraft. Petty Officer Cochran’s actions, aeronautical skill, and valor were instrumental in this rescue. His courage, judgment, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.