The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Survival Technician First Class John E. Green, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the night of 5 July 2000, while serving as Rescue Swimmer aboard Coast Guard HH-65A CGNR 6539. He displayed exceptional fortitude during the entire rescue evolution of 51 people from a burning oil rig. Upon arrival on scene, the aircrew realized the oil rig was ablaze, the rescue ladder was blocked by fire, and immediate evacuation of the crew was required. Petty Officer Green displayed uncommon courage in volunteering to remain on the rig to manage evacuation. When it appeared that the only way off the rig was by helicopter, he resourcefully suggested the evacuation of personnel to a waiting crew boat using the rig’s crane. He simultaneously coordinated the movement of the crane and the aircraft’s approach to the landing pad with a hand held radio. Making three trips, CG 6539 airlifted 12 persons to another platform nine miles away before having to refuel, while 36 people were safely lowered to a surface vessel via a gondola attached to the rig crane. Meanwhile, CG 6586 arrived but was weight limited. With the oil rig still ablaze, he volunteered to remain on the rig so the three remaining survivors could be airlifted to safety. Shortly thereafter, the rig exploded into a ball of fire that extended from the waterline to 100 feet over the top of the platform surrounding Petty Officer Green. He radioed the CG 6539 and requested an immediate pickup or he would be forced to blindly jump over 100 feet to the water. The CG 6539 approached the dark billowing smoke from the platform, entered instrument meteorological conditions, gained visual reference 75 feet above the rig, and touched down briefly to allow Petty Officer Green to leap into the cabin. His expeditious decision-making was crucial at a time when on scene fire extinguishing stores were rapidly depleting and aircraft fuel was critical. His quick thinking and valor were paramount in the rescue of all 51 survivors. Petty Officer’ Green’s courage, judgment, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.