The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Raymond J. Miller, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the night of 12 February 1997 while serving a copilot aboard Coast Guard HH-65A helicopter CG6589. The aircrew was engaged in the perilous rescue of two people from the sailing vessel GALE RUNNER that had become dismasted, disabled, and was taking on water in a gale south of the Quillayute River entrance, off the Washington Coast. Commander Miller navigated the helicopter 85 miles using radar and night vision goggles (NVGs) while the aircraft commander flew below cloud ceilings, heavy rain, 40- to 50- knot winds, and occasional turbulence. While en route to the distressed vessel, Commander Miller provided search planning and communications while searching for a Coast Guard motor lifeboat, also dispatched to assist the GALE RUNNER, now in imminent danger of going on the rocks in the sea stacks forming the Quillayute Needles. Commander Miller expertly navigated and assisted the aircraft commander in flying the helicopter through the sea stacks to the vessel. While the crew made several attempts to lower a trail-line and rescue basket to the victims, Commander Miller used his NVGs to keep the helicopter clear of the towering rocks, and calmly called lulls in the 10- to 25-foot seas. His actions ultimately assisted in hoisting the two victims safely aboard the helicopter. After leaving the scene, Commander Miller navigated the helicopter to a safe landing in an unlighted field where the victims were transferred to an ambulance. Relieved of search duties by other Coast Guard helicopters, Commander Miller assisted in directing the search efforts for the missing Coast Guard crewmen. Commander Miller’s actions, aeronautical skill, and valor were instrumental in the rescue of two people. 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.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Raymond J. Miller, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 20 October 1995 while serving as Aircraft Commander of HH-65A, CGNR 6593. Group Port Angeles received reports of red flares near Sombrio Point, on the couth shore of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Within minutes, CGNR 6593 was airborne and en route. Confronted with rapidly deteriorating weather, Commander Miller used every asset available to search in the dark night. Through driving rain, fog and sea spray, and despite visibility of only a quarter mile, a flickering flashlight was spotted along the rocky, desolate shoreline. Turning parallel to the shoreline, Commander Miller initiated an instrument letdown to the water and entered a 50-foot slow hover. Soon, the partially submerged hull of a wooden fishing vessel was located, being battered against the rocks by the surf. During a survey of the wreck, a hand gripping a flashlight was spotted reaching around a small flat area at the base of a rocky outcropping, only feet from the smashed boat. Hovering with a tail wind, Commander Miller experienced turbulence from wind deflection off cliff walls as he carefully brought the helicopter closer to the victim. The survivor’s precarious location at the base of the cliff, with overhanging trees above, gave Commander Miller barely five feet of rotor clearance as he attempted to put the rescue swimmer close to the victim. Being beaten by frigid swells washing over him and by the chilling helicopter downwash, the victim unexpectedly lunged for the rescue swimmer being lowered down. Though caught by surprise, Commander Miller masterfully controlled the helicopter with the added weight and safely inched away from the dangerous terrain. As a powerful wave carrying large wooden debris from the wrecked boat crashed over the victim’s former position, the rescue swimmer and victim were hoisted to safety. Commander Miller’s action and aeronautical skill were instrumental in the rescue of one person. 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.