The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Donald Cyrus Addison, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight on the night of 22 December 1971 as pilot of Coast Guard HH-52A 1388 helicopter engaged in the perilous rescue of seven crewmen from the burning tugboat PALMER GAILORD, located 23 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Lieutenant Commander Addison and his aircrewman were returning from a long day of SAR activity in the Hatteras Area when diverted to assist the tugboat in the vicinity of Diamond Shoals Light. Despite approaching darkness and winds gusting to 45 knots, Lieutenant Commander Addison courageously proceeded to the scene and located the distressed burning vessel which was loaded with 40, 000 gallons of fuel. Realizing the imminent danger, he quickly maneuvered the helicopter and hovered on instruments over the severe rolling and pitching deck of the vessel in 18-foot seas. With only the directions from his hoist operator, he skillfully moved the helicopter in and out of position over the tug until the seven men were removed from peril. As the last survivor was being hoisted, the guideline fouled in the rigging and halted the operation. Using remarkable professional knowledge and adding power, Lieutenant Commander Addison broke the weak link which allowed the man to be hoisted to safety. All survivors were then evacuated to medical assistance. Lieutenant Commander Addison displayed expert aeronautical ability and dauntless valor throughout this most demanding mission. His remarkable skill, courage, faultless judgment and unwavering devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.