The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Michael K. Van Doren, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot and aircraft commander of Coast Guard HH-52A helicopter 1421 engaged in the rescue of four persons from the pleasure craft SUGAR BEAR on the evening of 23 November 1984. The stricken vessel was taking on water and foundering in extremely heavy seas approximately 90 miles east of Miami, Florida. Dispatched from Coast Guard Air Station Miami, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Van Doren located the SUGAR BEAR despite rapidly deteriorating visibility due to darkness, blowing seas, and winds exceeding 50 knots. After coordinating hoisting instructions with his crew and the crewmembers of the distressed vessel, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Van Doren expertly guided his helicopter over the deck of the distressed vessel and began a series of hoists while remaining clear of the wildly slashing outriggers and tuna tower. During the second hoist, when the rescue basket became entangled with the boat’s rigging, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Van Doren demonstrated superb flying skills and crew coordination. With three victims safely evacuated and no one to control the vessel’s heading. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Van Doren directed the last person into the water, conducted a difficult, no-reference hoist from the sea, and successfully evacuated the last of the four survivors to safety. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Van Doren’s actions, aeronautical skill, and valor were instrumental in the rescue of four 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.