The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander James I. Doughty, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on March 12, 1968 as aircraft commander of a Coast Guard HH52-A helicopter engaged in the evacuation of nine crewmen from the floating oil rig JULIE ANN, Dixilyn No. 8, located 110 miles southwest of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite severe weather conditions with 40-knot winds, 20-foot seas and blowing spray which constantly threatened to extinguish the aircraft’s engine, Commander Doughty skillfully maneuvered the helicopter and hovered close aboard the sinking rig with his rotor blades less than 10-feet from the superstructure. Although occasional monstrous swells racked the rig even closer to the hovering helicopter, Commander Doughty persevered, and with utmost precision successfully hoisted five survivors, off-loaded them on a nearby stationary oil rig platform and returned to the pounding rig to pick up the last four men. Under the same arduous conditions, further compounded by increased turbulence in the hoist area, Commander Doughty quickly moved in and out of the area until the last man was removed from peril. With the stationary rig already crowded and his fuel state approaching a minimum, he proceeded directly to shore with the last survivors. Commander Doughty displayed expert airmanship and dauntless valor throughout this perilous mission. His aeronautical skill, courage, sound judgment and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.