The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant David M. Bartram, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the Aircraft Commander of Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter CG-6022 on 3 December 2007. Commanding the first aircraft to launch from Air Station Astoria, Oregon, during a winter storm of unprecedented ferocity, Lieutenant Bartram battled torrential rain, severe turbulence, low visibility and hurricane force wind en route to a series of inland rescue missions marked by dangerous terrain, hypothermic victims, and poor communications. After rescuing four hunters stranded on Long island, Washington, Lieutenant Bartram and his crew flew ninety nautical miles through driving rain and in low visibility to Chehalis, Washington, where hundreds of people were trapped and endangered by cold, rapidly-rising floodwaters. Lieutenant Bartram exhibited exceptional courage and innovation, rescuing people from rooftops and through the upper windows of darkened homes engulfed in fast-moving water. He also rescued four people from a small boat as flood waters swept it through the darkness among trees and power lines. Lieutenant Bartram’s airmanship was exceptional while battling fatigue, wind driven debris, and frequent periods of near-zero visibility as he operated in the ravaged area. He employed exceptional leadership and determined stamina, expertly guiding his crew through forty-two hoists and twelve rescue swimmer deployments – many having the barest clearance from dangerous obstacles. In addition to piloting his aircraft and leading his crew, Lieutenant Bartram demonstrated superb innovation by embarking a sheriff’s deputy to assist in quickly locating and rescuing survivors across the region. During the eight hour mission, Lieutenant Bartram’s actions, aeronautical skill, and heroism were instrumental in the rescue of 39 people. His courage, judgment, and devotion to duty Is the face of hazardous flying conditions are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.