Coast Guard Members Receive Awards For Tall Ship Bounty Rescue

Elizabeth City Coast Guard members receive awards for tall ship Bounty rescue

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The Coast Guard honored 26 crew members Wednesday at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., for their efforts during the tall ship Bounty rescue.

Rear Adm. Steven Ratti presented the Distinguished Flying Cross to Petty Officer 2nd Class Randy Haba and Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Todd, both rescue swimmers at the air station who rescued 14 of the 16 Bounty crew members.

Rear Adm. Steven Ratti, the Coast Guard's 5th District commander, presents a Distinguished Flying Cross medal to Petty Officer 2nd Class Randy Haba, an aviation survival technician at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., at the air station Wednesday, June 26, 2013. Haba is a Stratton, Colo., native and received the award for his efforts in rescuing crew members of the HMS Bounty, which sank during Hurricane Sandy off the coast of North Carolina. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brandyn Hill

The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to members who distinguish themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. The act must have been in the face of great danger and well above normal expectations.

The remainder of the HC-130 Hercules and MH-60 Jayhawk personnel received awards ranging from commendation medals to air medals.

Rear Adm. Steven Ratti, the Coast Guard's 5th District commander, presents awards to an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., at the air station Wednesday, June 26, 2013. The crew received awards for their efforts in rescuing crew members of the tall ship Bounty, which sank during Hurricane Sandy off the coast of North Carolina. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brandyn Hill)

Aircrew members stand at attention during an award presentation held at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., Wednesday, June 26, 2013. The personnel shown each received an award for their efforts during the rescue of crew members from the tall ship Bounty, which sank during Hurricane Sandy off the coast of North Carolina. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brandyn Hill)

Rear Adm. Steven Ratti, the Coast Guard's 5th District commander, presents a Distinguished Flying Cross medal to Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Todd, an aviation survival technician at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., at the air station Wednesday, June 26, 2013. Todd is a Tucson, Ariz., native and received his award for his efforts in rescuing crew members of the HMS Bounty, which sank during Hurricane Sandy off the coast of North Carolina. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brandyn Hill)