[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 3, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E102-E103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF LIEUTENANT MATTHEW VANDERSLICE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 3, 2016

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Matt 
Vanderslice of the United States Coast Guard for his extraordinary 
actions on February 15, 2015.
   Lieutenant Vanderslice, a native of Stonington, Connecticut, was 
accepted into the prestigious U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where he 
graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Operations Research and 
Computer Analysis. While at the Academy, he was known to be an avid 
member of the rowing team and served as the team captain his senior 
year.
   Following commissioning, Lieutenant Vanderslice served as a Deck 
Watch Officer aboard the USCGC Hollyhock, a 225-foot ice breaking buoy 
tender home ported near Detroit, Michigan. During his two year tenure, 
he sailed all five Great Lakes before being accepted to the flight 
training program.
   Upon completion of helicopter pilot training, Lieutenant Vanderslice 
was stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod Massachusetts for 
three years as a duty standing helicopter pilot. It was during this 
time, assigned as the co-pilot of the helicopter CGNR 6033, that 
Lieutenant Vanderslice, along with three other crewmembers, were tasked 
with responding to a distress signal picked up by the Coast Guard 
Rescue Coordination Center in Boston from the fishing vessel Sedona. 
The Sedona was stranded 200 nautical miles off the coast of Cape Cod.
   Lieutenant Vanderslice and the aircraft commander, Lieutenant Hess, 
exhibited exceptional skill as they safely navigated through near-zero 
visibility, 55 knot winds, and unrelenting snow and sleet. Even when 
extreme weather conditions caused equipment to malfunction and act 
erratically, Lieutenant Vanderslice was able to locate the vessel by 
manipulating the aircraft's avionics system and by making precise fuel 
calculations. His calm professionalism inspired the rest of the crew to 
remain confident and focused, which was essential to successful mission 
completion. In addition to his calm yet quick thinking, he managed to 
keep the operational commander apprised of mission progress, keep the 
aircraft

[[Page E103]]

clear of the Sedona as it was tossed about in the violent seas, and 
carefully manage fuel burn rates--giving Lieutenant Hess the ability to 
focus all of his attention on keeping the aircraft in a safe hoisting 
position. As CGNR 6033 returned to base, Lieutenant Vanderslice 
communicated with air traffic control and the operational commander to 
coordinate arrival procedures and initiate medical treatment for the 
survivors. Lieutenant Vanderslice maintained exceptional composure for 
the entirety of the mission.
   Lieutenant Vanderslice has since received orders to Coast Guard Air 
Station Sitka, Alaska, where he continues to fly the MH-60T on various 
Coast Guard missions. Lieutenant Vanderslice is married to Stephanie, 
his wife of 3 years. In his spare time, he is a passionate guitar 
player and roasts the best coffee in Sitka.
   Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in honor of Lieutenant Matthew 
Vanderslice, who perfectly exemplifies the highest standards of the 
United States Coast Guard. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing this distinguished member of our Armed Services and wishing 
him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________