The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class George Paul Abbe, United States Navy, for outstanding heroism in endeavoring to rescue an enlisted man who fell from the forepeak of his ship into the icy waters at Vermillion, Ohio, on the morning of 31 October 1945. Under the most hazardous of conditions due to darkness, muddy and freezing water, and the proximity of the vessel to the dock pilings, and with complete disregard for his own safety, Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Abbe voluntarily and courageously dived overboard from his ship, swimming under water in search of his shipmate. Only after complete exhaustion from his efforts, and the bitter temperature of the water forced his abandoning the search, did he permit himself to be taken aboard. Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Abbe’s extreme and heroic conduct performed in the face of great personal risk upon his own initiative was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.