The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Seaman Apprentice Lance Manno, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the night of 11 September 1993 while engaged in the rescue of eight Haitian migrants from the capsized sailing vessel JACQUES IMMACULEE in the Caribbean Sea north of Haiti. The 25-foot, rudderless, overloaded sailboat, bound for Miami, Florida, was found adrift with 46 Haitian migrants aboard. A dark, moonless night coupled with six- to eight-foot breaking seas and winds gusting over 20 knots added to the severity of the situation. Shortly after the first 12 migrants were safely transported to Coast Guard Cutter MOHAWK, a nine-foot wave struck the sailboat broadside causing it to capsize, tossing the remaining passengers into the sea. Seaman Apprentice Manno, as one of MOHAWK’s rescue swimmers, entered the water from MOHAWK’s Motor Surf Boat and began swimming for the capsized sailboat. Fighting the adverse conditions and swimming over 20 yards each way, Seaman Apprentice Manno heroically assisted then frightened migrants, and swam them safely back to the Motor Surf Boat. In two instances, Seaman Apprentice Manno ferried two Haitian migrants back to the Motor Surf Boat at the same time. Seaman Apprentice Manno 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.