AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Alaska Rescue
MODEL:  HH-3F

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Robert A. Hughes for meritorious achievement in aerial flight on the evening of 11 April 1983 while serving as Co-Pilot in Coast Guard HH-3F 1473 engaged in the rescue of two survivors from the stricken fishing vessel HELEN JEAN. The vessel was taking on water and the crew had become disoriented off Cape Suckling, Alaska. Dispatched from Air Station Kodiak, in total darkness with 200-foot ceilings, ½ mile visibility and winds over 50 knots, the pilots navigated the helicopter by radar 300 miles through icing conditions, around hazardous island obstacles to the location of the vessel. After the first pass, Lieutenant Hughes, with the assistance of the Aircraft Commander, guided the aircraft into a pattern that avoided the close terrain of nearby islands and returned them to the vessel. The Aircraft Commander once again took control of the aircraft and Lieutenant Hughes aided him in an extremely demanding hoist. With the vessel pitching up and down 30 feet and rolling as much as 80 degrees both crewmen were safely hoisted from amidst the swinging mast and rigging. Once they were on board, Lieutenant Hughes flew the helicopter into Cordova, expertly navigating again by radar around the high terrain of Kayak Island. The case was terminated by a radar approach into the airport using landing lights to illuminate the terrain as they peered through ¼ inch of ice on the windshield. Lieutenant Hughes’ actions and aeronautical skill were instrumental in the rescue of these two victims. 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.