The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Electronics Technician Third Class Michael S. Cumberland, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the morning of 22 September 1990 while serving as avionicsman of Coast Guard helicopter HH-3F CGNR 1467. The aircrew was dispatched to search for the fishing vessel JANICE N which was reported to have caught fire. Flying at an altitude of 100 feet through heavy rain, 75 knot wind gusts, severe turbulence, 30-foot seas, and visibility less than one-quarter mile the aircrew sighted the burning vessel. During several hours of search, Petty Officer Cumberland navigated near mountainous terrain in adverse weather. With the aircraft low on fuel, the aircrew finally spotted a raft with three survivors onboard. Hoist preparations were begun but interrupted when the intercom system failed due to the driving rain. Showing great composure, Petty Officer Cumberland repaired the communications problem. He then laid prone, grasping the hoist cable to reduce the swing of the basket caused by the turbulence. The swinging cable dragged him from side to side for 40 minutes until all survivors were hoisted aboard. Petty Officer Cumberland’s actions were instrumental in the rescue of three 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.