CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF

THE COAST GUARD ACHIEVEMENT MENAL

TO

ROBERT V. PIERSON

BOATSWAIN'S MATA SECOND CLASS

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

Petty Officer PIERSON is cited for superior performance of duty while assigned to Coast Guard Station lairport from May 2002 to June2006. During this period, Petty Officer FIERSON w&s an integral member of the urit's leadership, contributing in all mission areas duringhis tour. He quickly certified as Boarding Officer, Crewman, Oflicer of the Day and Coxswain on all sf the station's boats. Petty OfficerPIERSON's in-depth knowledge nf Search and Rescue (SAR) and maritime law enforcement was evident rvith his personal involvement inthe successful prosecution of over 66 SAR cases and 295 boardings. He accumulated over 1400 underway hours on various station boats,leading hiu duty section and station in rnaritirne larv enforcement and homeland security patrols. Petty Officer PIERSON's boat handlingabiiities were tcstcd under cxheme conditions u.hon he and his crew responded to a girl who had fell on the Fairport Hartor WestBreakwater and brr:ke her: leg. He expertly maneuvered his 23' Utility Boat within feet of the rocks in two to three foot seas toaccommodate her treatment and evacuation to shore side medicai personnel. As the assistant training pettyofficer, his organizational skillswere most evident with the station earning an "Excellent" rating from the 47' Motor Lifeboat Standardization Team during their 2003 and2005 visits. The unit's 35 training records had a total of only two disacpancies found. ln the spring of 2004, the area was plagued with arash of false May Day calls. Petfy Officer PIERSON's local knorvledge and expertise in electronics lead to the capture and conviction oftwo hoax callers. He spearheaded the instailation of a digital recorder, ailowing us to save recordings of the calls for evidence and e-mailtheir files to search coordinators for more efficient search planning, ensuring the public was protected while saving the unit's SAR crewsfrorn needlessly putting themselves in dangcr or wasting much nccdcd funds on false alarms. His efforts contributed directly to theideutification and apprshension of the hoax cailers by a local task force of Police, Federal Communications Commission, and Coast Gr.rardInvestigative Services agents; both suspects pload guilty. Petty OtIcer PIERSON's diiigence, perseverance, and devotion to duty are mostheartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.

The Operarional Distinguishing Device is authorized.