[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E44]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF PETTY OFFICER EVAN STAPH

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                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 13, 2016

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Petty Officer 
Evan Staph--the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross for his 
heroic actions on February 15, 2015.
   It came as no surprise to those who know him, when Petty Officer 
Staph enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in the fall of 2007. A native of 
Dana Point, California, Petty Officer Staph was drawn to the water at a 
young age. Trained by his older brother, Brad, to swim in the ocean and 
surf before he could walk, he went on to excel on land--cross country 
and track and field--in high school and throughout his college career. 
The commitment and discipline he exhibited toward his athletic 
achievements strongly foreshadowed the determination Petty Officer 
Staph embodied when he joined the Coast Guard.
   Petty Officer Staph transitioned to the U.S. Coast Guard airman 
program after a year aboard the Coast Guard cutter, USCGC Maple, where 
he graduated in 2010 with orders to report to Air Station Savannah, 
Georgia. Over the course of his four year tour, Petty Officer Staph 
flew more than 800 hours in the MH65 helicopter--saving numerous lives 
as an expert Rescue Swimmer. It was also during these four years that 
he met his wife, Kayla, whom he married on November 15, 2014.
   Soon thereafter, Petty Officer Staph was relocated to Air Station 
Cape Cod. While stationed in Massachusetts, Petty Officer Staph has 
devoted much of his free time to spiritual pursuits and organizes 
frequent Bible study sessions. He also finds time to give back to his 
community as an active member of the Big Brother Big Sister program and 
mentors his ``little brother,'' Jamie. It is this strength of spirit 
and resolve that served Petty Officer Staph well nearly one year ago.
   On the morning of February 15, 2015, the Coast Guard Rescue 
Coordination Center in Boston was alerted to a distress signal from the 
sailboat Sedona. Facing dangerous weather conditions, the onset of a 
severe winter storm, and no available escort aircraft for helicopter 
missions, the four-man crew of CGNR 6033 left Air Station Cape Cod to 
aid the Sedona. The pilot and copilot of CGNR 6033, Lieutenant John D. 
Hess and Lieutenant Matthew Vanderslice, expertly navigated the 
deteriorating visibility, battling heavy snow, high winds, 25 to 35 
foot seas, and severe thunderstorms to fly the over 300 nautical mile 
journey to and from the Sedona.
   Hovering above the Sedona, Petty Officer Staph was lowered into the 
water to retrieve the survivors when the primary hoist unit failed--
forcing the crew to use a backup hoist and dangerously complicating the 
rescue mission. During this extended process, static electricity on the 
rescue basket from the helicopter, weather, and lightning reached life-
threatening levels. Before the basket was lowered to retrieve the 
remaining men, the crew struggled to discharge it against the water. 
Yet the buffeting winds blew the basket toward the second survivor. 
Heroically, Petty Officer Staph held himself between the victim and 
charged basket--and was struck by the static electricity with such 
intensity that he was knocked unconscious. Throughout the ordeal, Petty 
Officer Staph never let go of the survivor and completed his duty in 
rescuing the two mariners.
   Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Petty Officer Staph for his 
exemplary dedication to his duty. I ask that my colleagues rise and 
join me in thanking him for his selfless actions and for his service in 
keeping our nation's citizens safe at sea.

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