THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 4, 1995 TAG: 9510040560
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
Petty Officer Michael Odom had already received a Distinguished Flying Cross, the highest award in Coast Guard aviation, at a ceremony before the U.S. Congress.
Odom had survived five hours in hostile seas during a January nor'easter - longer than any other Coast Guard rescue swimmer in history - and been duly honored by the nation's top statesmen.
But the handshakes and salutes he and several dozen other aviators received during a Tuesday afternoon awards ceremony at the Elizabeth City Air Station meant more to Odom.
``This is much better,'' the 30-year-old aviation survivalman said. ``It's always better to be recognized with your peers than to be singled out.
``This helps make sure everybody knows we don't do things individually. It takes a lot of people.''
Teamwork was the theme of the presentation, where 33 aviators stationed in Elizabeth City received awards for three dramatic rescues during the past year.
``I can honestly say I've never given out this many medals in one day before,'' said Rear Adm. William Ecker, Commander of the Fifth Coast Guard District.
Adm. Ecker and the Air Station's Commanding Officer, Capt. Stanley J. Walz, were among about 150 military and civilian guests lauding the efforts of several HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and C-130 airplane crews.
In each case, the Coast Guard crews were dispatched in extremely hazardous weather to save boaters whose vessels were being ravaged by winds, heavy rains and huge Atlantic waves.
In Odom's case, a helicopter crew responded on Jan. 23 to a call about 300 mile east of Savannah, Ga., where five crewman aboard the sailing vessel Mirage had been battered for days by a winter storm.
While hoisting the men into the chopper, a cable unraveled, stranding Odom in treacherous waters for hours while the helo team reluctantly returned to refuel.
Two C-130 crews remained at the scene to monitor and maintain contact with Odom, who was left with only a life raft and radio beacon. Odom, who suffered severe dehydration and hypothermia, and one of the Mirage passengers were later lifted to safety.
Receiving the Air Medal in that rescue were Lt. Cmdr. Bruce C. Jones and Petty Officers Christopher J. Shawl, James A. Peterson and Mark A. Bafetti.
Also cited for their service were Lt. Cmdr. Matthew P. Reid, Lt. Cmdr. William D. Osborn, Lt. Daniel C. Rocco and Petty Officers William B. Freeman, Kenneth Hammack, Steven J. Roth, Warren E. Bernard, Dennis M. Elliott, Ronald G. Mitchell, Kory S. Gibbons and James L. Josey.
Another heroic rescue that received national attention and earned its rescue swimmer - as well as other crewmates - the top aviation award occurred during Hurricane Gordon last November.
In that case, aviation survivalman Mario M. Vittone helped pluck a family of four from churning seas after their Bermuda-bound boat, the Marine Flower II, ran into Hurricane Gordon about 380 miles east of Cape Hatteras.
The 7.4-hour, 800-mile mission included rescuing a 4-month-old baby.
``It was the first time in the history of the Coast Guard rescue swimmer program that an infant of such a young age was rescued from the open ocean,'' Ceremony Narrator Lt. j.g. Ward Sandlin told the audience.
Also receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross were Lt. Cmdr. David M. Gunderson, Lt. .j.g. Daniel J. Molthen and Petty Officer Bobby D. Blackwell.
Coast Guard Achievement Medals were awarded to C-130 crewmen Lt. William E. Thompson, Gary B. Holybee, Keith D. Rauch and Stephen J. Cross, who remained overhead and provided crucial communications.
Shortly after the Marine Flower II rescue, another helo crew was dispatched to snatch three men off the sailing vessel Pilgrim, 100 miles east of Elizabeth City.
Surrounded by foaming seas and often having the hoist basket ``ripped from his grasp by pounding waves,'' rescue swimmer Michael P. Thomas pulled three members of the sailing vessel from ``mountainous seas.''
Thomas was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Air Medals were given Tuesday to Lt. Michael C. Brady and Petty Officer Matthew B. Moyer.
Commended C-130 crewmen included Lt. Cmdr. Leroy P. Smart and petty officers Kaleb N. Thompson, Paul H. Brown, Michael C. Gardner and James E. Washington.
The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded, on average, five times a year. This is the third time in the past 1 1/2 years that Elizabeth City aviators have received the medal.
During the 45-minute ceremony at the C-130 hangar, Capt. Walz praised all the recipients for their honor, bravery and dedication.
``We need look no further for role models for our children and grandchildren,'' he said. by CNB