The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Maintenance Technician Second Class Robert L. Cain, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on Coast Guard helicopter CG-6019 from 26 – 27 August 2005. While serving as flight mechanic, Petty Officer CAIN and his crew were tasked with navigating through ferocious winds of Hurricane KATRINA to rescue three persons on the stricken fishing vessel Mary Lynn located only 10 miles from the eye of Hurricane KATRINA and 210 NM southwest of Air Station Clearwater. Displaying exceptional foresight and initiative, Petty Officer Cain discussed and planned for unconventional hoisting techniques with the rescue swimmer. Upon locating the Mart Lynn, Petty Officer Cain calmly provided assertive directional commands to the aircraft commander, who battled valiantly against 40-foot swells, 85 knot gusts, rain squalls, turbulence, and suffocating darkness that made station keeping nearly impossible. After the declining fuel state of CG6019 forced a diversion to Key West, Petty Officer Cain and the rescue swimmer developed a thorough hoisting plan, to include the survivors entry into the water, using only a head nod vice the standard ready-for-pick-up signal, anticipating that the rescue swimmer would need both hands to rescue the survivors. Upon returning to the scene, Petty Officer Cain artfully conned the aircraft while overcoming fatigue caused by the harsh environmental conditions. Displaying incredible hoist management, he skillfully completed three direct deployments of the rescue swimmer into the violent seas, recovering all three survivors from the chaotic water while facing furious winds and 40-foot swells that were imparting massive side-to-side rolls upon the vessel. Through his extraordinary hoisting proficiency and situational awareness, Petty Officer Cain quickly ascertained that a survivor’s life ring, attached to the Mary Lynn via a trail line, had entangled the hoist cable. He expertly advised the Aircraft Commander of the situation and provided essential conning commands, enabling him to work the cable free and defuse a perilous situation that had dangerously attached the aircraft to the Mary Lynn. Petty Officer Cain’s aeronautical skill and valor were instrumental in the rescue of three survivors. 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.