The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant James S. O’Keefe, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as copilot of Coast Guard HH-60J helicopter 6011 on the night of 12 November 1999. The crew was engaged in the rescue of three survivors from the 52-foot fishing vessel BECCA DAWN, which sank in a winter storm 160 miles northwest of Sitka, Alaska. Lieutenant O’Keefe expertly navigated CG 6011 through 45-knot winds and one-quarter mile visibility in snow showers to reach the BECCA DAWN. Homing on the vessel’s emergency beacon, he located three survivors clinging together, struggling to remain afloat in the 35-45 foot confused seas. The aircrew quickly realized that maintaining a stable hover was impossible. Keeping the helicopter clear of waves and the survivors in sight was a physical struggle that fully taxed the entire aircrew. Sixty-five knot wind gusts buffeted the helicopter and filled the air with freezing spray. Severe turbulence flung the aircraft about the pitch-black sky, inducing dramatic uncommanded nose attitude changes, causing severe spatial disorientation for both pilots. Lieutenant O’Keefe monitored the flight instruments while the pilot and flight mechanic struggled to deliver the rescue basket. He repeatedly assisted the pilot in maintaining orientation by calling out altitude and attitude. He physically assisted on the flight controls throughout the rescue attempt, helping the pilot control attitude and descent rates. His assistance kept the helicopter from striking the water on several occasions, and was crucial during the heroic and exhausting 30-minute struggle. Miraculously, the aircrew managed to deliver the rescue basket twice, rescuing one survivor on the first hoist, and simultaneously rescuing two survivors on the second hoist. After a desperate but unsuccessful attempt to locate the forth crewman, Lieutenant O’Keefe delivered the survivors to safety in Yakutat, Alaska. Lieutenant O’Keefe’s actions, aeronautical skill, and valor were instrumental in the rescue of three lives. 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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Coast GuardRank:
CommanderAction Date:
August 31 – September 3, 2005
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander James S. O’Keefe, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as aircraft commander aboard Coast Guard HH-60J helicopters from 31 August to 3 September 2005 during Hurricane KATRINA rescue operations. Demonstrating superb aeronautical skill, Commander O’Keefe flew over 29 day and night flight hours throughout the flood ravaged urban disaster area. On 31 August, Commander O’Keefe flew directly to the Superdome, where he chose the only available spot and assigned each crewmember a specific obstacle to watch as he expertly landed between two turning H60 helicopters to evacuate seven critical patients. Upon arrival at the hospital, he discovered that the landing pad was not rated for an HH-60J helicopter and landed light on the wheels, using immense skill to offload the survivors. Later, Commander O’Keefe deployed his rescue swimmer between two sets of power lines to assess the status of a hospital surrounded by floodwaters. The crew subsequently rescued a 550 pound critically ill patient during a hoisting and hovering evolution that lasted over one hour. Commander O’Keefe then served as a model of flight expertise as he inserted an eight person SWAT team into the Superdome parking lot, subduing the riotous activities and bringing order to the volatile crowd. Commander O’Keefe then recovered a survivor suffering kidney failure, boldly landing between two buildings and clearing the structures by only feet. On 1 September, Commander O’Keefe bravely accepted the mission to reconnoiter a hospital where shots had been fired. Discovering over 200 patients and staff requiring immediate evacuation, Commander O’Keefe took charge and rallied two additional helicopters to assist. Commander O’Keefe not only acted as on-scene commander for the operation, but completed 60 hoists on night vision goggles while surrounded by hazards and obstructions. On 3 September, Commander O’Keefe participated in the massive evacuation of the New Orleans convention center, transiting a flight corridor packed with dozens of rescue aircraft. Commander O’Keefe’s actions, aeronautical skill, and valor were instrumental in the rescue of 214 storm victims. His courage, judgment, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.