The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Survivalman Second Class Joseph F. Rock, Jr., United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight on the night of 28 and 29 December 1988 while serving as Rescue Swimmer aboard Coast Guard HH-3F helicopter 1472 engaged in the perilous rescue of two crewmembers from the M/V LLOYD BERMUDA which foundered and capsized 215 nautical miles south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Dispatched from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, helicopter 1472 battled the stormy turbulent weather of a North Atlantic winter gale for more than 7 hours before locating the victims. Amid floating debris and 25 to 35-foot seas, the first survivor was found lashed to several pieces of lumber. With wind gusts of 50 knots, driving rain and blowing salt spray, Petty Officer Rock deployed from the helicopter into the turbulent seas. He struggled valiantly against the mountainous waves to reach a victim 45 feet away. Wearing no protective clothing, the victim was deep into hypothermic shock and totally oblivious to the presence of his rescuers. While cutting the victim’s lashings free and prying him from his “death-like” grip of the lumber, Petty Officer Rock lost one of his gloves, causing his hand to numb from the cold. After Petty Officer Rock pulled the victim into the rescue basket, which was continually being swept away by the wind and waves, the victim was hoisted to safety. Due to the violent weather, the helicopter repeatedly gained and lost altitude sending Petty Officer Rock crashing through the seas before he was also pulled to safety. Soon thereafter, Petty Officer Rock again deployed into the perilous sea. He quickly reached the second victim and prepared him for hoisting. Once safely aboard the aircraft the second time, Petty Officer Rock administered emergency medical care to both victims throughout the two and one-half hour flight to the hospital. Petty Officer Rock’s actions and valor were instrumental in the rescue of two victims. 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.