The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Maintenance Technician Second Class Adam L. Mayhugh, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the Flight Mechanic of MH-60J Jayhawk helicopter CG-6006 on the night of 3 December 2007. Launched from Air Station Astoria, Oregon, during a winter storm of unprecedented ferocity, Petty Officer Mayhugh assisted his pilots as they battled torrential rain, severe turbulence, poor visibility and hurricane force winds en route to Chehalis, Washington, where hundreds of people were endangered by cold, rapidly rising flood waters. He conducted critical radio communications, assisted pilots in navigating and prepared the cabin for rescue operations during the ninety mile flight. In the operating area, he orchestrated rescues characterized by dangerous terrain, hypothermic victims, and poor communications. He helped develop the plan of action, operated the hoist and conned the pilots for eighteen exacting hoists and eleven hazardous rescue swimmer evolutions. Petty Officer Mayhugh expertly ensured the aircraft avoided innumerable obstacles, guided the hoist device through many hazards and ensured the safety of the rescue swimmer and those he rescued. He directed the rescue of persons from rooftops and through upper windows of darkened homes engulfed in fast-moving water while conning the pilot among trees and live power lines. One person in danger of being swept away by surging water was rescued from the roof of a car engulfed by swift current. In addition to his duties as the hoist operator, he directed all activities in the passenger compartment where the wet, cold and frightened people were huddled. Demonstrating exceptional crew management skills, he performed responsibilities both as the flight mechanic and emergency care giver. Petty Officer Mayhugh’s actions, skill and heroism were instrumental n the rescue of 39 people. His courage, judgment, and devotion to duty in the face of hazardous conditions are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.