The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Health Service Technician Second Class Timothy M. Merrell, United States Coast Guard, for heroism from 31 October 1991 to 02 November 1991 while serving as the Independent Health Services Technician on board U.S.C.G.C. TAMAROA during the daring rescue of four survivors from an Air National Guard (ANG) H-60 helicopter in what became known as “The Perfect Storm.” The ANG H-60 was forced to ditch because it could not refuel from a C-130 tanker due to the violent turbulence caused by the worst weather in more than 100 years. When a USCG H-3F helicopter could not hoist the ANG crew because the force of the wind was so strong the basket did not go down to the water, but went almost straight back into the tail rotor, TAMAROA became their only hope. As the seas towered above the bridge of TAMAROA and the weather buoys reported wave heights of 100 feet, the ship suffered 55-degree rolls. The ANG crew spent seven hours in the 56-degree water before being brought aboard. Petty Officer Merrell treated the Pararescue jumper who had broken bones in his arms and legs, broken ribs that damaged his internal organs and massive internal bleeding. Although he was near death and needed the services of a hospital emergency room, Petty Officer Merrell kept him alive until he could be evacuated. Petty Officer Merrell also saved the life of the Flight Mechanic who was suffering from severe hypothermia because he was not wearing an exposure suit. With a body temperature of 89 degrees, he was also near death and could have died from cardiac arrest if his body temperature was brought up too quickly. Even though they were aboard the TAMAROA, both of these men would have died if Petty Officer Merrell did not perform a miracle working in conditions that are almost beyond imagination. His courage and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with [the] highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.