The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Aviation Survivalman Second Class Michael P. Thomas, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on 27 – 28 June 1995 while serving as Rescue Swimmer aboard Coast Guard HH-60J, CGNR 6019 during the daring rescues of seven people near Madison, Virginia. A frail 94 year old woman and four others were trapped by raging currents engulfing their two vehicles. With land rescue teams unable to reach them, the victims were in imminent danger of being swept away. Faced with a rescue for which he had neither training nor experience, Petty Officer Thomas quickly came up with a plan of action and volunteered to deploy. Because overhanging foliage made it impossible to hoist them directly to their vehicles, he deployed directly into the raging current. While keeping clear of large debris rushing by, he used his fins to steer through the water and worked his way toward the victims. Simultaneously, Petty Officer Thomas provided conning commands to the pilot and hoist operator, neither of whom could see him. Despite the numerous hazards and the requirement to keep one hand on his radio, Petty Officer Thomas successfully rescued each of the five victims. Exhausted from the ordeal, he was called upon only moments later to rescue two 11 year old boys clinging to a tree trunk in the flood waters. To reach the frightened victims, he was forced to pull himself into the trees, then back out with the boys in his arms, knowing that if the boys stripped from his grasp they would be swept away and drowned. Petty Officer Thomas demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger in these rescues. His courage and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.