The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Captain George Richard Burge, Canadian Defense Liaison, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the night of 17 February and the early morning of 18 February 1979 while serving HH-3F 1432 engaged in the perilous attempt to rescue a severely injured seaman from the Japanese fish- as co-pilot of Coast Guard vessel KAISEI MARU NO. 18 which was located 210-miles southeast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Upon notification that a MEDEVAC was needed, the helicopter was launched toward a rendezvous with a Coast Guard Headquarters Company-130 aircraft which had been dispatched to pinpoint the location of KAISEI MARU NO. 18. While en route, flying through heavy turbulence, high winds and snow showers, an updated position location for KAISEI MARU NO. 18 placed the vessel beyond the range of the helicopter, forcing the aircraft to re- to Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod. Receiving a further update on the vessel’s location, the aircraft was again launched into the deteriorating weather and located the wildly pitching vessel. With Captain Burge providing advisories and monitoring the instruments, a demanding approach to the surface was executed. A tending line for the rescue litter foiled when the line parted due to the motion of the vessel, and a second attempt failed due to the high winds. Before another attempt could be made, a mechanical malfunction occurred. Reacting immediately, Captain Burge provided advisories to the pilot as the crippled aircraft was skillfully guided to the water in a level, controlled attitude. Upon reaching the surface, the turbulent seas capsized the aircraft, trapping Captain BURGE and three of the crewmen. Captain Burge’s innovative actions, expert aeronautical skill and valor, while sacrificing his own life, enabled one of the aircrewmen to escape. His courage, fortitude and unwavering devotion to duty are most heartily commended and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Canadian Forces and the United States Coast Guard.