The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Maintenance Technician Third Class Michael Bouchard, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while serving as Rescue Swimmer aboard Coast Guard HH-65A CGNR 6539 on the night of 5 July 2000. He displayed exceptional fortitude during the entire rescue evolution of 51 people from a burning oil rig. Upon arrival on scene, the aircrew realized the oil rig was ablaze, the rescue ladder was blocked by fire, and immediate evacuation of the crew was required. Upon initial landing, all 51 people on the rig crowded around the helicopter, anxious to evacuate. Petty Officer Bouchard expertly gained control of the situation, advised them that the rescue swimmer would be left to coordinate the evacuation and eased their fears. Making three trips, the crew of CG 6539 airlifted 12 persons to an alternate rig, and 36 people were safely lowered to a surface vessel via a gondola attached to the rig crane. Meanwhile, CG 6586 arrived to evacuate the final four people after all power to the rig was secured, but was weight limited and left the rescue swimmer on the rig. While CG 6539 was on downwind for the final pickup of the rescue swimmer, only seconds from landing, the rig exploded into a ball of fire that extended from the waterline to 100 feet over the top of the platform. The aircraft approached the dark billowing smoke from the platform and entered instrument conditions in the smoke. Petty Officer Bouchard was the first to gain visual reference, 75 feet above the rig and skillfully guided the pilot’s approach to the platform, allowing the aircraft to land and pickup the rescue swimmer prior to a second explosion. Petty Officer Bouchard’s expeditious input to decision-making was crucial at a time when on scene fire extinguishing stores were rapidly depleting and aircraft fuel was critical. Additionally, he alerted the pilots of excessive approach speed on one approach, averting potential disaster. Petty Officer Bouchard’s actions and aeronautical skill were paramount in the rescue of all 51 persons, who otherwise would have perished in the fire. 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.