The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Jimmy Ng, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the afternoon of 25 February 1984. As aircraft commander of Coast Guard HH3F Helicopter 1469, Lieutenant Commander Ng was involved in the rescue of three crewmembers from the 56-foot fishing vessel MIA DAWN which had gone aground near the island of San Point, Alaska. Dispatched from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, Alaska, Lieutenant Commander Ng piloted his aircraft to the scene despite inoperative loran and radar equipment. The wind was blowing over snow-covered cliffs at 60 – 80 knots creating a whiteout condition with visibility reduced to 150 feet. Fighting severe turbulence, Lieutenant Commander Ng conducted a demanding approach to the MIA DAWN which was found listing heavily and nearly covered with ice. He positioned his aircraft over the vessel and commenced an extremely demanding hoist. The first attempt was aborted when the trail line was blown aft in the high winds and quickly became entangled in the vessel’s masts. After clearing the trail line, the basket was lowered into the hands of the waiting fishermen. The server turbulence then tossed the helicopter wildly above the MIA DAWN, causing the pilots to lose sight of the vessel. In spite of all the extreme hazards, the three victims were successfully hoisted to safety, where they were treated for hypothermia and shock by the flight surgeon and the two aircrewmen. Lieutenant Commander Ng’s gallant actions and aeronautical skill resulted in the rescue of three victims. His courage, judgment and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Jimmy Ng, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the evening of 17 August 1980. During this period he was serving as pilot and aircraft commander of Coast Guard HH-3F 1471 engaged in the rescue of 17 seamen from the merchant vessel Theresa Lee which was filling with deadly ammonia gas, disabled, and sinking in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Dispatched from Coast Guard Air Station, Kodiak, Alaska, Lieutenant Ng flew the aircraft through the remnant of one of the worst typhoons of the season to the scene. Upon arrival and despite darkness, poor visibility and turbulence in rain showers, Lieutenant Ng maneuvered the helicopter to a position over the violently pitching vessel as two dewatering pumps were lowered to the survivors. These pumps eventually saved the ship from sinking. Lieutenant Ng was now into his third launch of the day having accumulated 4.3 hours of flight time and eight hours of crew mission time on another SAR case. Facing fatigue and wind gusts of 65 knots and 40 foot seas combined with minimal visual references in the rain, Lieutenant Ng maintained his position above Theresa Lee until the 17 seamen had been hoisted to safety. With the fuel now a critical factor, Lieutenant Ng proceeded to the closest landing area, Port Heidon, Alaska. While en route, the cockpit filled with dense smoke accompanied by the acrid odor of an electrical fire. Reacting immediately, Lieutenant Ng directed the performance of the appropriate emergency procedures which successfully resulted in the elimination of the problem. The helicopter was then safely landed at Port Heidon. Lieutenant Ng’s innovative actions, expert aeronautical skill and valor throughout this mission were instrumental in the successful rescue of the 17 seamen. His courage, sound judgment and unwavering devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.