The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Survivalman First Class Michael G. Odom, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight on 23 – 24 January 1995 while serving as the rescue swimmer aboard Coast Guard HH-60J, 6019. The helicopter crew was engaged in the nighttime rescue of 3 crewmembers from the sailing vessel MIRAGE, which was encountering treacherous seas 300 miles east of Savannah, Georgia. After flying through severe weather he arrived on scene to find the vessel being battered by 20-foot raging seas and gale force winds. Recognizing that the crew was in extremis, he volunteered to deploy into the perilous conditions. He was forced to battle the turbulent seas and 40-knot winds in order to reach the survivors. Once each survivor was in tow, he swam towards the basket only to have it ripped from his grasp by the pounding waves. After each recovery, Petty Officer Odom, who was dose to exhaustion from the previous hoist, volunteered to reenter the water. The final hoist was the most demanding. As Petty Officer Odom signaled for his last pickup, the hoist cable jammed leaving him stranded in the raging seas. Fatigued, he dragged himself into a life raft provided by the helicopter as it departed scene due to low fuel. Unable to establish communications with the helicopter on his radio and battling a life threatening situation Petty Officer Odom took stock of his situation and began to consolidate his survival equipment After 20 minutes, he was able to contact the HC-130H, orbiting overhead, which provided him with some hope of rescue. As he was repeatedly swept from his raft, he began to experience severe seasickness, and further succumbed to exhaustion. He was rescued 5 hours later by a second helicopter, unconscious, hypothermic and near death. His unwavering commitment to saving the lives of the crew of the MIRAGE almost cost him his own life. Petty Officer Odom’s actions, aeronautical skill, and valor were instrumental in the rescue of 3 persons. 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.