The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Machinist’s Mate Third Class Carl E. Saylor, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 4 October 1980 while serving as Flight Mechanic of Coast Guard HH3F 1472 engaged in the rescue of survivors from the stricken passenger liner M/V PRINSENDAM which had caught fire 120 miles south of Yakutat in the Gulf of Alaska. Dispatched from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, Petty Officer Saylor was a member of the relief crew that took over HH-3F 1472 in Yakutat and transported 800 blankets and an Air Force medical team to the T/V WILLIAMSBURGH, where survivors from the lifeboats of PRINSENDAM were being taken. HH-3F 1472 then commenced a search for lifeboats in the deteriorating weather. Upon locating a storm tossed lifeboat filled beyond capacity, Petty Officer Saylor provided precise advisories to the pilot as he maneuvered the helicopter into a position over the lifeboat. Despite the lifeboat’s pitching and rolling wildly in the 25 to 30 foot seas, heavy salt spray and the lack of mobility of the elderly, cold and wet survivors, each one was hoisted into the aircraft. Each time a load of survivors was delivered to the tanker, Petty Officer Saylor assisted in carrying those who needed extra care in exiting the helicopter. Before exhausting on scene fuel endurance, 21 persons were hoisted to safety. After delivering three survivors to Yakutat and refueling, the aircraft was returned to the scene and advised that all survivors had been rescued and their assistance was required to transport the Captain and three officers of PRINSENDAM from WILLIAMSBURGH to U.S.C.G.C. BOUTWELL. Petty Officer Saylor assisted the pilot in maintaining safe clearance from all obstructions on deck as the helicopter was landed, the four men were embarked and transferred to BOUTWELL. Three survivors were then hoisted from BOUTWELL and flown to Air Station Sitka. Petty Office Saylor’s innovative actions, expert aeronautical skill and valor were instrumental in the rescue of 87 people. 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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Coast GuardRank:
Aviation Machinist’s Mate First ClassAction Date:
December 10, 1987
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 Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class Carl E. Saylor, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the night of 10 December 1987 as Flight Mechanic and Hoist Operator aboard Coast Guard HH-3F helicopter 1486 engaged in the rescue of a man and his six-year-old son from the F/V BLUEBIRD which sank in storm-tossed waters 10 miles southwest of Sitka, Alaska. The helicopter launched into a blinding snowstorm with severe turbulence. Through the swirling snow, Petty Officer Saylor sighted the stricken 26-foot fishing vessel with its decks awash, six miles from its reported position. The victims, clad in survival suits, jumped into the frigid water just before their vessel sank in the violent 30-foot seas. Petty Officer Saylor repeatedly tried to lower the rescue basket to the father, who was clutching his child. When it became evident that the victims, numbed by frigid water pouring into their survival suits, were unable to help themselves, he lowered the rescue swimmer. Despite gusting 70-knot winds, Petty Officer Saylor skillfully and repeatedly guided the pilot into position above the victims. On the fourth attempt, he was able to recover the survivors before they were battered by the towering sea. After the basket had been lowered to the rescue swimmer, the helicopter was blown violently backward by a particularly strong gust which pulled the rescue swimmer through several breaking waves before the basket cleared the water. With Herculean efforts, Petty Officer Saylor comforted the survivors while the battered helicopter returned to Sitka. Petty Officer Saylor’s actions, aeronautical skill, and valor were instrumental in the rescue of two 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.