The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Dennis E. Stitzer, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the afternoon of 1 June 1968 while serving as coxswain of the CG 52313, engaged in the perilous rescue of three men from the capsized pleasure craft MISS KISS at Grays Harbor Entrance, Westport, Washington. Petty Officer Stitzer, observing the 24-foot MISS KISS being overturned by a breaker and her occupants thrown into the turbulent water on the Grays Harbor Bar, skillfully maneuvered the CG 52313 toward the survivors. Steering his vessel alongside two of the persons found clinging together, he directed his crew to pass life rings. Despite constantly breaking surf up to 20 feet high which violently tossed the survivors and the rescue boat, both person in the water were held alongside by members of his crew until the efforts of all hands were successful in pulling them to safety. A third survivor was located floating 300 yards ahead of the boat and was assisted alongside where he clung to the lifeline on the hull. Petty Officer Stitzer, recognizing the exhausted condition of his crew and despite a severely cut right eye, reached over the side of the boat and with his crewmen holding his feet pulled the man almost single-handedly aboard the CG 52313. Petty Officer Stitzer demonstrated initiative, fortitude and daring in spite of imminent personal danger during the entire rescue mission. His unselfish action and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.