The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Robert K. Kornexl, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as copilot on a Coast Guard HH-65B helicopter, CGNR 6513, operating from the cutter ALEX HALEY on 8 December 2004. Undaunted by howling 45-knot arctic gales and 30-foot seas that caused the cutter’s deck to pitch and roll well beyond safe launch limits, Lieutenant Kornexl carefully timed the wave-sets and made a daring takeoff to provide backup for another Coast Guard helicopter dispatched to evacuate eight mariners from the recently grounded M/V SELENDANG AYU near Unalaska Island. As the HH-60J was hoisting a crewman from the 738-foot freighter, CGNR 6513 watched in awe as a huge wave struck the vessel and shot skyward, engulfing CGNR 6020 and causing it to plunge into the frigid sea. As CGNR 6020 sank, Lieutenant Kornexl made a mayday call and assumed his role as safety pilot, allowing the pilot to focus all his efforts on rescuing the dazed survivors as they egressed from the sinking wreckage and struggled in the rough seas. Exhausted after four demanding hoists, the pilot passed controls to Lieutenant Kornexl who flew through turbulent blizzard conditions and darkness, pushing CGNR 6513 to its limit while en route to Dutch Harbor. After refueling, he flew the grueling return trip to recover the last two persons still stranded and imperiled on the vessel that had now broken into two sea-swept hulks. Again, he provided backup as the pilot and flight mechanic struggled for 45 minutes to complete the arduous 200-foot hoists in jarring turbulence and perilous whiteout conditions. Lieutenant Kornexl’s actions, aeronautic skills, and valor were instrumental in the rescue of six survivors. 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.