AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Rescue
MODEL:  HH-60 CGNR
3021

Citation:  1.) Petty Officer Jason P. Quinn, Aviation Survival Technician Third Class, United States Coast Guard, is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the Rescue Swimmer aboard Coast Guard HH-60 CGNR 3021 on 20 October 2002. The crew from Cold Bay Alaska, responded to the distress call from an explosion onboard the 180-ft F/V GALAXY with 26 people on board, located 35 miles north of St. Paul Island. Arriving on scene, the crew discovered people still on board the blazing ship. With winds over 25 knots pushing 20-foot seas compounded by flames and dense smoke from the burning vessel that was rolling 30 degrees to each side, the aircrew was unable to safely hoist directly from the vessel. With selfless regard for his personal safety, Petty Officer Quinn volunteered to enter the water in an area full of debris, fuel, and flames shooting out of the burning hull to recover mariners. To position himself for the recoveries, he swam to within 10 feet of the massive screws that were pitching completely out of the water and slamming back into the sea. Directing the first survivor to jump into the water, he was in position to quickly place him in the rescue basket. With the first survivor recovered, Petty Officer Quinn was hoisted and redeployed to the swiftly drifting GALAXY. Back in position again, precariously close to the screws and in the debris field, he directed the second mariner into the water. Within moments, he had the survivor in the basket and on his way up to the helicopter. While readying the third survivor for hoisting, a massive wave submerged both of them underwater, allowing the steel hoist cable to wrap around the survivor. Petty Officer QUINN quickly unhooked the basket from the hoist hook, preventing severe injury to the survivor, and quickly regained control of the situation. Once the three survivors from the stern were recovered, CGNR 6021 moved to the bow to recover the other two survivors. Again at great personal risk and nearing exhaustion, he entered the water near the bow, this time facing the gigantic anchor rising out of the water with the swells. Using all of his remaining strength to stay away from the heaving bow, he successfully recovered the last two survivors. Petty Officer Quinn’s actions, aeronautical skill and valor were instrumental in saving the lives of five mariners. 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.