The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Craig E. MacLennan, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary heroism on 25 May 1987 while assigned to U.S.C.G.C. POINT CARREW (WPB 82374). On that day, he was put aboard a sailing vessel which was disabled with a broken rudder in 10 to 15-foot seas. Demonstrating exceptional professionalism, he calmed the vessel’s skipper, then managed to rig a towing bridle and attach a towline, despite the vessel being thrashed about by heavy winds and violent seas. As the seas increased to 20 feet and winds gusted in excess of 30 knots, three drogue chutes, used to help stabilize the sailing vessel, were ripped loose. Courageously, Petty Officer MacLennan battled the torrent conditions and successfully deployed an empty P-140 pump can, which provided the needed stability. Finally, the POINT CARREW was able to tow the vessel to safety. Less than an hour later, despite extreme fatigue, POINT CARREW was called to assist a 22-foot vessel, stranded eight miles offshore with two adults and three children on board. Once again Petty Officer MacLennan was called upon to board the vessel. Once on board, he calmed the frightened occupants, then, heroically, held on to the pitching bow of the small vessel while retrieving a heaving line from the water and attaching a towline. He continued to calm the frightened victims and at the same time steered the tow to prevent it from capsizing. As the vessel was pulled closer to the POINT CARREW, it began to break up and take on water. Acting quickly and intelligently, Petty Officer MacLennan threw one child and then another over the rail, safely into the arms of a POINT CARREW crewmember. Then, without regard for his own personal safety, Petty Officer MacLennan lifted an inured adult to safety as the two vessels began to surge apart in the violent seas. Petty Officer MacLennan demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger during these rescues. His courage and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.