The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Randy Haba, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight on the Coast Guard helicopter CG-6012 on 29 October 2012. Serving as the Rescue Swimmer, he and the helicopter crew were tasked to fly through driving rain bands, 60 knot winds and moderate turbulence to assist the tall ship HMS Bounty, which was foundering 80 nautical miles east of Cape Hatteras in the midst of Hurricane Sandy. Arriving on scene in complete darkness, CG-6012 was vectored to a lone survivor floating freely in a survival suit amidst the debris field. The CG-6012 maneuvered over to the survivor and Petty Officer Haba was deployed into the churning water below. On the first two attempts, due to strong currents and large swells, he was violently pulled away from the survivor. However, on the third attempt, he successfully reached the survivor and they were both hoisted to safety. With dawn finally upon them, Petty Officer Haba was again lowered to the water and swam against 30-foot seas and gale force winds to reach a life raft. He swam four additional survivors one at a time away from the raft to be placed in the rescue basket and hoisted into the CG-6012. After the second survivor was placed in the rescue basket, Petty Officer Haba was smashed by a large wave that washed away his mask and snorkel. Undaunted, he swam back to the raft to rescue two more survivors despite continued large waves that violently washed Petty Officer Haba away from the raft. Each evolution demanded exceptional strength, skill, and determination to overcome the affects of the water-logged survival suits, high winds and rough seas. After nearly one grueling hour in the water, Petty Officer Haba continued to provide medical care to the five survivors during the 180 nautical mile flight home. Petty Officer Haba’s actions, skill and heroism were instrumental in the rescue of five people. His courage, judgment, and devotion to duty in the face of hazardous conditions are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.