The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Boatswain’s Mate First Class Richard D. Dixon, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the afternoon of 3 July 1980 while serving as the coxswain of Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat (MLB) 44409. During this period he was instrumental in preventing the yacht FANTASY ISLE, with five people onboard, from capsizing on the stormy Tillamook Bay entrance bar. To escape the remains of Tropical Storm CELIA, the owner/operator of FANTASY ISLE elected to seek shelter in Tillamook Bay, Oregon. Arriving outside the Bay in the late afternoon, the bar entrance was completely covered with breaking seas up to 30-feet in height. With the crew of FANTASY ISLE completely exhausted and seasick, the owner/operator believed he was in a “do-or-die” situation and informed Coast Guard Station Tillamook Bay that he was going to cross the bar. Two Coast Guard rescue boats were immediately dispatched to escort the yacht across the Bar. Arriving on scene two miles off-shore, Petty Officer Dixon placed his MLB behind FANTASY ISLE and took the first breaking wave broadside thereby taking the full force of the breaker before it could reach the yacht. Petty Officer Dixon continued this highly dangerous procedure, taking breaker after breaker, for the next forty minutes until FANTASY ISLE was safely inside Tillamook Bay. Petty Officer Dixon demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude and daring in spite of imminent personal danger during this incident. His unselfish actions, courage and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.