The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Machinery Technician Third Class Eric M. Langstaff, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary heroism on 5 January 1980 when he assisted in the rescue of two men from the grounded barge MICHEL F in the turbulent surf near Little Egg Inlet, New Jersey. Upon notification of the grounding, Petty Officer Langstaff departed Coast Guard Station New Haven as the engineer on board Coast Guard Motor Life Boat CG-44355 and proceeded to the scene despite heavy surf and a driving snowstorm. Arriving on scene, the barge was observed engulfed in 20-foot breakers, lying broadside to the surf, approximately 1-mile offshore. As the coxswain maneuvered the CG-44355 closer to the hapless barge, Petty Officer Langstaff braved the heavy surf and blinding snow while moving hand-over-hand along the rail toward the bow of the motor life boat. Reaching the bow, he tied himself to the rail and waited as the motor life boat was brought along side MICHEL F. At that moment the two men, who had been trapped in a leaking deckhouse of the 300-foot barge, broke out of the deckhouse and waded through waist deep water to the rail and vaulted over it into Petty Officer Lansgtaff’s arms. He then passed them to other Coast Guard personnel on deck of CG-44355. Petty Officer LANGSTAFF was then recovered from the rail as the motor life boat proceeded seaward to safety. Petty Officer Langstaff demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger in this rescue. His unselfish actions, courage, and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.