(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Petty Officer A. J. Thompson, United States Coast Guard, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Rescue Swimmer on the day and night of 8 May 2005 while rescuing three people from the sailing vessel Al Meisan. The vessel had been severely damaged and was sinking in a strong nor’easter 465 miles northeast of Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina. After rendezvousing with and refueling aboard the USS Trenton, His courage, judgment, and devotion to duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.