Distinguished Flying Cross Awarded To SF-Based Coast Guard Pilot

SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard presented a Distinguished Flying Cross medal to Lt. Cmdr. Jacob Conrad, whose heroism saved the lives of two men along with two rescuers who were trapped on a canyon wall.

On Dec. 29, 2023, the Coast Guard was notified that two men were stranded on a cliff, one of whom had fallen 100 feet and sustained severe injuries. Conrad and his MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew launched around midnight to the survivor’s position northwest of Sacramento.

Conrad navigated through hazardous terrain while battling aircraft icing in a winter storm, which forced him to make an emergency landing.

During the night, land rescuers had ascended the valley wall, but were also trapped by rock slides and heavy rainfall.

Conrad and his team launched again at first light. He overcame an internal communications failure to navigate the aircraft three miles through a narrow, fog-covered valley to locate the survivors 700 feet up the canyon wall.

"Maneuvering into the fog bank above, he established a precision hover over the survivor’s position," the Coast Guard reports. "While at a critical fuel state and surrounded by mere feet on three sides by overhanging rocks and trees, he overcame numerous hoist hazards and deployed the rescue swimmer to the cliff 200-feet below. Maintaining an exact position above the wall, he deployed the basket and recovered the severely injured survivor. As winds began to build over the rescue site, he again returned to the wall and re-established the confined hover. While operating (his aircraft) within one percent of its maximum power output, he deployed the rescue swimmer three more times, recovering the second survivor and two rescuers."

While Conrad received his medal this month, three other members of the crew — co-pilot Lt. j.g. Thomas Smith, Petty Officer 3rd Class Jordan Sanchez, flight mechanic and Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Romano — were previously recognized for their contributions in this rescue with Air Medals.

The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to Coast Guard members who perform acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement while flying. It is the highest award in the United States for aerial achievement.