The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Seaman Daniel C. McDonald, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the afternoon of 11 September 1989 while serving as rescue swimmer aboard Coast Guard Surf Utility Boat (UTB) 41360 during the rescue of seven survivors from the pleasure boat NONNIE’S PAPA. The vessel had capsized in 10 to 15-foot surf while entering Barnegat Inlet. Informed that a victim was trapped in the cabin of the overturned vessel, Seaman McDonald disregarded his own safety to swim through the raging surf and sound the hull as it drifted toward a shoal. When the UTB was forced to break off and seaman McDonald’s tending line ran out, he courageously cut the line rather than abandon the victim he believed to be trapped inside. When he was thrown from the hull by a rogue wave, he skillfully fought his way through the crashing waves to a nearby surf rescue boat which then supported the fire department rescue divers who had arrived on scene. When a diver became entangled in the wreckage, Seaman McDonald, undaunted by his own recent ordeal, reentered the roiling seas and helped free the trapped diver. Seaman McDonald 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.