The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Electrician’s Mate First Class Michael Klaczkiewicz, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the morning of 16 September 1990 while participating in the rescue of crewmembers from the tank vessel JUPITER which caught fire and exploded. The JUPITER had been off-loading gasoline at the Total Petroleum Terminal dock on the Saginaw River in Bay City, Michigan when it caught fire, turning one million gallons of gasoline onboard into a raging inferno. Petty Officer Klaczkiewicz was dispatched as an engineer of a Coast Guard Utility Boat (UTB). After arriving on scene, Petty Officer Klaczkiewicz observed that the forward portion of the ship was engulfed in flames and a large segment of deck was peeled back. Explosions continued to rip the main deck apart and sprayed shrapnel and burning gasoline into the air. As the UTB was maneuvered to within 15 feet of the burning tank vessel, Petty Officer Trahan, manned the fire monitor on the bow. When JUPITER crewmembers began abandoning ship, the UTB was cautiously maneuvered to within ten feet of the burning tanker. Petty Officer Klaczkiewicz, without regard for his own safety, worked to recover seven survivors from the debris-strewn water. He then assisted in other rescue efforts resulting in the successful rescue of 16 of JUPITER’s 17 crewmembers. Petty Officer Klaczkiewicz demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude and daring in spite of imminent personal danger in this rescue. His courage and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.