The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Machinist’s Mate First Class Vernon Alvin Larson (NSN: 6555435), United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct during the sinking of a floating dry-dock at an advanced naval base in the South Pacific on 2 November 1943. Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Larson went below where members of the night shift still were sleeping. He entered the sinking pontoon to awaken his shipmates but failed to save himself.