The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Survivalman Third Class Clark M. Evenson, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary heroism in aerial flight while serving as rescue swimmer aboard Coast Guard HH-60J helicopter CG 6028 on the morning of 2 August 1995. During the height of Hurricane Erin, the crew of the 150 cruise ship CLUB ROYAL, beleaguered by 20 – 30 foot seas and 50 knot winds, experienced uncontrollable flooding and abandoned ship 100 miles east of Port Canaveral, Fl. After flying 200 nm across the heart of the storm, the crew of CG 6028 located three survivors in a life raft. Petty Officer EVESON quickly volunteered to deploy into the raging 30-foot seas. Battling monstrous swells and fierce winds, he took the first frightened survivor from the raft, and he struggled through the towering waves to the rescue basket. With the first survivor safely hoisted, Petty Officer Evenson was recovered and redeployed near the life raft. Displaying unbelievable courage, skill and determination, he fought the fearsome, storm driven seas despite suffering extreme fatigue and nausea from saltwater ingestion. He risked his life for 40 perilous minutes while rescuing the remaining two victims. Petty Officer Evenson’s actions, 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.