The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Patrick M. Gorman, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight from 29 August to 3 September 2005 as an aircraft commander aboard Coast Guard HH-60J helicopters during Hurricane KATRINA rescue operations. Commander Gorman served as pilot-in-command in the high risk urban disaster environment for over 38 flight hours, including four hours of hazardous night operations. As senior deployed aviator for the HH-60J evacuation crews, Commander Gorman launched the lead aircraft through hurricane force winds to provide a rescue force over New Orleans, Louisiana. As the first HH-60J helicopter on scene, Commander Gorman demonstrated initiative, assessed the devastation, and coordinated an impromptu evacuation plan in the absence of any specific guidance. Through innovation, Commander Gorman augmented normal rescue operations with adaptive procedures, conducting 30 hoists in winds exceeding 50 knots and narrowly clearing wires and towers. Commandeering a fire-ax from a stranded rescue truck, Commander Gorman’s crew used the ax to create roof openings through which survivors could be extricated. On 31 August, Commander Gorman conducted 52 grueling vertical surface swimmer deployments from over 120 feet, expertly maintaining a stable platform, threading the swimmer through power lines and other obstacles, saving 72 lives. On 2 September, Commander Gorman fought through a fatiguing 20 direct deployments, hovering within feet of a network of wires that littered an apartment complex, saving 65 lives. On 3 September, Commander Gorman airlifted 125 survivors from the New Orleans Convention Center, loading his aircraft to maximum capacity on each sortie, using 100 percent of aircraft available power to clear the 250 foot obstacles along the departure path. For six straight days, be performed at the extreme limits of personal endurance and physical stamina, Commander Gorman’s actions, aeronautical skill, and valor were instrumental in the rescue of 370 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.