The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Electronics Technician Third Class Mark A. Milne, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary heroism during aerial flight on the night of 10 December 1987 while serving as an avionicsman aboard Coast Guard HH-3F Helicopter 1486 engaged in the perilous rescue of a man and his son from the F/V BLUEBIRD which sank in storm tossed waters 10 miles southwest of Sitka, Alaska. Petty Officer Milne assisted with communications and navigation as the helicopter flew through a blinding snowstorm, with severe turbulence, to assist the stricken vessel which was foundering in 30-foot seas. Petty Officer Milne and the hoist operator made repeated attempts to deliver a rescue basket to the two victims who had abandoned their vessel just before it sank. As it became evident that the victims were unable to help themselves, a rescue swimmer entered the water to assist. Throughout the rescue hoists, while the helicopter was being tossed about by violent 70-knot wind gusts. Petty Officer Milne maintained constant visual contact with the victims and repeatedly guided the pilot and hoist operator to their location. Petty Officer Milne assisted in the hoists by stabilizing the wildly swaying rescue basket and pulling the survivors and rescue swimmer to safety. He then resumed his communications and navigation duties to guide the battered helicopter back to Sitka. Petty Officer Milne’s actions, aeronautical skill and valor were instrumental in the rescue of two victims. His courage and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.