The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Survivalman Second Class Michael P. Thomas, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight on 18 November 1994 while serving as rescue swimmer aboard Coast Guard HH-60J helicopter CGNR 6034. The crew was engaged in the nighttime rescue of three crewmembers from the sailing vessel PILGRIM which had encountered treacherous seas associated with Hurricane Gordon 100 miles east of Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Recognizing that the PILGRIM’s crew would not survive a night pounded by the 30 to 40 foot seas of Hurricane Gordon, Petty Officer Thomas volunteered to deploy into the perilous seas. He was forced to battle extreme seas and 50 knot winds in order to reach the victims. Once each victim was in tow, he swam towards the basket only to have it ripped from his grasp by the pounding waves. After each recovery, Petty Officer Thomas, who was close to exhaustion from the previous hoist, volunteered to re-enter the water. The final hoist was the most demanding. The last victim was swept well past him, with only the screams and a strobe attached to the victim to indicate his location. During this final recovery, another huge wave hit Petty Officer Thomas, smashing his head against the basket and tossing him back into the churning water. Dazed from the blow, he managed to climb into the basket for the final time. Petty Officer Thomas actions, skill, and valor were instrumental in the rescue of three persons. 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.