Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Coast Guard

    Rank:

    Aviation Maintenance Technician Second Class

    Action Date:

    January 31, 1998

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Maintenance Technician Second Class Harold Lee Honnold, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the early morning of 31 January 1998 while serving as flight mechanic onboard Coast Guard HH-60J 6011. The aircrew was engaged in the perilous rescue of three survivors from the Fishing Vessel LA CONTE which sank 50-miles off Cape Fairweather, Alaska, during a fierce winter storm. Dispatched from Sitka to relieve two other helicopter crews, Petty Officer Honnold was selected to act as a second flight mechanic on CG 6011. On scene, the crew was confronted with 50- foot seas, rogue waves topping 70 feet, and winds gusting from 50-70 knots. He expertly deployed a barrage of marker flares to provide the pilot with visual reference. As the other flight mechanic lowered the rescue basket, hurricane-force winds blew it wildly 150 feet behind the helicopter. Fighting severe turbulence, Petty Officer Honnold used his entire body weight to prevent the thrashing hoist cable from fraying on the sharp aircraft surfaces, while deftly keeping the portable spotlight trained on the survivors. In spite of these overwhelming conditions, Petty Officer Honnold maintained an amazing sense of situational awareness. At one point, noticing the floating marker flares rising above the helicopter, Petty Officer Honnold realized that a gigantic rogue wave was on a collision course and immediately advising the pilot to climb, saving the helicopter from the grasp of the monstrous breaker. After nearly two exhausting hours in these conditions, the crew miraculously rescued three survivors. Petty Officer Honnold’s actions, aeronautical skill and valor were instrumental in the rescue of three survivors. 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.