The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Alan G. Dahms, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on August 29, 1969 as aircraft commander of a Coast Guard HH-52 helicopter engaged in the evacuation of a severely injured survivor of an aircraft crash in the mountains of Southeast Alaska. After extensive search efforts were conducted for the aircraft, the crash scene was located in a remote area where one critically injured survivor remained to be evacuated. To conduct the rescue, Lieutenant Commander Dahms landed at a nearby mountain Lake and placed a ground party ashore with a litter to remove the survivor to a more accessible location. The survivor was carried to a steep rocky slope of the mountain between trees 90 to 120 feet high as this was the only clearing within several hours of travel. When he arrived at the hoist area, which was only slightly larger than the rotor diameter, Lieutenant Commander Dahms skillfully positioned the helicopter into a hover at treetop level. While maintaining this difficult position, the rescue cable was lowered its full length but remained 60 feet above the survivor, Lieutenant Commander Dahms, with precise airmanship, maneuvered the helicopter down among the towering trees, simultaneously moving the tail to cautiously avoid the outstretched branches which were dangerously close to the rotors. With unusual ability and courage, he maintained a stable hover while his crewman successfully hoisted the survivor aboard. Using the same flawless technique, Lieutenant Commander Dahms worked his way above the trees and proceeded through adverse weather conditions of 200 feet overcast, one quarter mile visibility, in rain and fog to deliver the survivor to medical aid. Lieutenant Commander Dahms displayed remarkable airmanship and dauntless valor throughout this perilous mission, His outstanding aeronautical skill, courage and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.