The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant John H. Powers, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial fight on the night of 19 to 20 February 1974 as pilot of Coast Guard HH-3F 1484 helicopter engaged in the successful evacuation of a critically ill seaman from the merchant vessel GALVESTON, located 136 miles southwest of Annette, Alaska. Advised of the emergency, Lieutenant Powers alerted his flight crew and, when the helicopter was readied, departed Annette Air Station, despite darkness, poor visibility and moderate to severe turbulence emanating from a rapidly approaching storm. Although weather conditions continued to deteriorate considerably with decreasing temperatures, Lieutenant Powers pressed on, relying on instruments, flight computer and radar to avoid the rugged Annette Island mountains. Upon arrival on scene, with half of his crew suffering from airsickness, he located the GALVESTON pitching wildly in heavy 12-foot seas with winds gusting to 50 knots. With utmost precision, Lieutenant Powers forced the aircraft to its maximum fight limitations and, in a grueling 23-minute hover, positioned the helicopter in a varying altitude from 12 to 100 feet from the stern of the vessel with power requirements fluctuating between 50 and 100 percent torque to dodge the ship’s superstructure. As soon as the ill seaman was hoisted aboard, Lieutenant Powers set course for Ketchikan and, despite heavy wet snow completely obliterating the radar, successfully navigated the treacherous mountain route to deliver the patient to medical authorities. He then attempted to proceed to Annette Air Station but was forced to abort the flight, due to weather, and return to Ketchikan with his crew. Lieutenant Powers’ expert aeronautical skill and dauntless valor throughout this perilous mission resulted in saving the life of the stricken seaman. His heroic courage, sound judgment and unwavering devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.