The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Gary Thomas Morgan, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 4 October 1980 while serving as pilot of Coast Guard HH-3F 1480 engaged in the rescue of personnel from the M/V PRINSENDAM which was afire and disabled in the Gulf of Alaska 160 miles northwest of Sitka. Dispatched from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, Commander Morgan flew the helicopter, with extra firefighting equipment on board to the scene despite darkness, rain showers, and strong turbulent winds. Reaching the burning ship, Commander Morgan positioned the helicopter over the small stern area of the heavily pitching and rolling PRINSENDAM as desperately needed firefighting equipment and the Air Station Damage Control Officer were lowered. Commander Morgan then maneuvered the helicopter about the ship while the Co-Pilot illuminated for the Damage Control Officer as he attempted to find his way through debris, around a dangerously hanging lifeboat, past the burning lounge area and to the bridge where he conferred with the Captain as to the extent of the damage. After the helicopter was refueled in Yakutat it was flown back to the scene. The T/V WILLIAMSBURG had arrived and was attempting to retrieve the survivors. Due to the tanker’s high sides and the widely scattered life boats, the retrieval of survivors was extremely difficult. Despite the fatigue of the aircrew, Commander Morgan directed hoist operations and the transfer of survivors to WILLIAMSBURG. Commander Morgan’s innovative actions, expert aeronautical skill and valor throughout this mission aided in the successful rescue of 58 persons. His courage, sound judgment and unwavering devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.