The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Scanlon, United States Coast Guard, for heroism while directing the rescue of 64 Haitian refugees from a capsized sailing vessel on the afternoon of 6 June 1984. Chief Warrant Officer Scanlon was conducting a routine Haitian Migrant Interdiction Operation boarding of a suspect vessel approximately 75 miles northwest of Cape Haitien, Haiti. Shortly after boarding the vessel, Chief Warrant Officer Scanlon immediately began placing life jackets on the refugees, who were to be transferred to the motor surf boat. Soon thereafter, as the Haitians began to surge topside, the sailing vessel rolled dangerously to port, settled by the stern, and capsized, throwing Chief Warrant Officer Scanlon and approximately 80 refugees into the water. Surrounded by the frightened refugees, struggling to stay afloat, Chief Warrant Officer Scanlon immediately removed his personal floatation device and gave it to three of the victims. Later, when a rescue boat approached him, Chief Warrant Officer Scanlon, although extremely fatigued, while treading water in five to six-foot seas, waved the boat off. Without regard for his own personal safety, he directed the motor surf boat’s rescue of other personnel in the water, almost certainly saving the lives of many who would otherwise have perished. Chief Warrant Officer Scanlon 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.