The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert E. Whitley, Jr., United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during a night rescue in October 1968, of a seriously injured mountain climber who fell while scaling Del; Camp Peak in the Cascade Mountain Range. Lieutenant Commander Whitely, flying in gale winds and severe turbulence, arrived at the mountain side only to determine that a landing was impossible and power loss from flying at an elevation of 6,3000 feet prohibited the use of the chopper’s hoist. Several passes were made over the site to drop survival gear and a litter to the injured man. Ground rescue workers were then landed by the helicopter at a nearby lake, where water spray shattered the craft’s searchlight. Low on fuel and flying amid mountain peaks without even light of the moon, Lieutenant Commander Whitley and crew returned to the lake from Robe, Washington, several hours later after the ground party has moved the injured climber down. This time the helicopter landed by the light of a hand-held, sealed beam lantern used to illuminate the shoreline and nearby trees. the injured climber was loaded aboard and flown to Snohomish County Airport when en route, Lieutenant Commander Whitely determined the fuel was too short to make the original destination of Robe. His aeronautical skill, courage, sound judgment and unwavering devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.