Craig Massello graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut, Class of 1995.
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Craig Massello graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut, Class of 1995.
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Craig J. Massello, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the Coast Guard HH-60J 6019 from 26 – 27 August 2005. As Aircraft Commander, Lieutenant Commander Massello courageously launched into the ferocious winds of Hurricane KATRINA to rescue three persons on the stricken fishing vessel Mary Lynn located only 10 miles from the eye of Hurricane KATRINA and 210 miles southwest of Air Station Clearwater. Using outstanding coordination with an orbiting Coast Guard C-130, Lieutenant Commander MASELLO bravely and skillfully piloted the aircraft through the dangerous semi-circle of the hurricane, replete with rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, unpredictable, multi-directional wind gusts reaching 85 knots, and violent turbulence that frequently made the flight instruments impossible to read because of extreme aircraft buffeting, and located the Mary Lynn despite visibility of less than one quarter of a mile. Facing a diminishing aircraft fuel state, Lieutenant Commander Massello attempted several visual approaches to the Mary Lynn, now being assailed by 40-foot swells, but the 85-knot wind gusts, rain squalls, turbulence, and suffocating darkness made station keeping nearly impossible. Armed with the knowledge that his aircraft’s fuel state did not provide enough endurance to complete the rescue, Lieutenant Commander Massello made the difficult decision to depart the scene and refuel at Key West and inspired his crew to return for another rescue attempt. Undaunted by the foreboding weather, Lieutenant Commander Massello again navigated through hellacious conditions to reach the Mary Lynn. After hours of battling hostile weather conditions, Lieutenant Commander Massello artfully positioned CG 6019 for delivery of the rescue swimmer into the violent seas, receiving marginal improvements in visibility from the rising sun. In the face of 40-foot swells imparting massive side-to-side rolls upon the vessel and furious winds, Lieutenant Commander Massello adroitly maintained position during three extremely challenging hoists. His extraordinary flying proficiency allowed the flight mechanic to defuse a perilous situation during the second hoist after the hoist cable entangled around a trail line and life ring dangerously attached to the Mary Lynn. Lieutenant Commander Massello’s 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.