The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Survivalman Second Class Scott G. Adlon, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight on 5 December 1993 while serving as rescue swimmer aboard Coast Guard HH-60J CGNR 6008. Following the hoisting of four crewman off the disable fishing vessel MISS RENONA in 18-foot seas and 45-knot winds, the aircraft launched again in response to the disabled 52-foot sailing vessel DUTCHESS. The vessel was preparing to abandon ship 170 nautical miles east of Cape Hatteras. The conditions were horrendous with winds of 60 knots and gusts to 70 knots, which covered the 25-foot seas with a blanket of white spray. At sunset, the No. 2 engine fire light illuminated and the crew declared an emergency and turned toward land. Moments later, Coast Guard HC-130H CGNR 1500 located DUTCHESS. With no secondary fire indications, the crew of CGNR 6008 decided to assess the DUTCHESS’ situation. They found her sails in tatters, rigging wrecked, and hull battered. Suddenly, without warning, all three crewmembers jumped into the churning ocean. Despite the nightmarish conditions and the intermittent engine fire light, Petty Officer Adlon realized the three victims would soon be lost and, without hesitation, volunteered to enter the water to attempt the rescue. Surfing up and down huge swells, he became disoriented and frequently lost sight of the victims. With one arm wrapped around the victims, he struggled with them one at a time toward the rescue basket which was repeatedly swept away by the raging seas. Twice he was left dangling 20 feet in the air as the seas dropped out from under him, then smashed violently against the basket by the following sea. Petty Officer Adlon’s actions, skill, and valor were instrumental in the rescue of three victims. 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.