Foil: 6 Panel: Distinguished Flying Cross Society Column: 4 Line: 14

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED PLYING CROSS TO LIEUTENANT COMMANDER DAVID W. KUNKEL, UNITED STATES COAST GUARD. Lieutenant Commander KUNKEL is cited for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the early morning of 5 September 1983. He was serving as pilot and aircraft commander of Coast Guard HH-3F 1482 engaged in the rescue of three individuals from the sailing vessel SPINDRIFT which was adrift in high winds and heavy seas 60-milea off the coast of Northern California. Dispatched from Air Station Astoria, Lieutenant Commander KUNKEL flew the helicopter to the scene. Upon arrival he maneuvered the aircraft over the stern of the 75-foot boat, despite 45-knot winds, 18-foot seas, darkness and a wildly swinging 45-foot mast. He then maintained a stable position so that a no reference hoist could be conducted. During the second hoist, the remaining adult crewmember of SPINDRIFT became entangled in one of the trail lines. Responding immediately to the hoist operator's emergency DOWN command, Lieutenant Commander KUNKEL saved the crewmember's life and that of a 4-year-old child. With the victims safely onboard, Lieutenant Commander KUNKEL returned to the Air Station. His actions and aeronautical skill were a major contribution in the saving of 3 lives. Lieutenant Commander KUNKEL's courage, judgment and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.