The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Seaman First Class Norman E. Rice, United States Navy, for heroic conduct during World War II. When the ship to which Seaman First Class Rice was attached located a missing pilot, forced down at sea, he saw the helpless and exhausted man surrounded by sharks which had already killed the airman’s companion. On his own initiative, Seaman First Class Rice dived overboard, swam to the injured pilot and by means of a line assisted him to the ship.