The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Airman’s Medal to Technical Sergeant Louis DeMartino, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life on Lake Erie, eighteen miles northwest of Ashtabula, Ohio, on 6 April 1979. On that date, Sergeant DeMartino, with complete disregard for his own safety, descended by hoist from a CH-3E Helicopter buffeted by heavy turbulence to the severely listing deck of a vessel foundering in fifty knot winds and twenty-five foot seas. Despite the violent pitching and rolling of the ice laden ship, he persevered in his humanitarian efforts until he had succeeded in evacuating eleven seamen from the stricken vessel to the safety of the helicopter. By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellowman, Sergeant DeMartino has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.