The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Rolland F. Cowle, Jr., United States Navy, for heroic conduct during the rescue of three survivors of a naval plane crash on the night of 16 January 1944. Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Cowle went over the side to carry a line to a wounded pilot when it became evident that rapid drifting of his ship made throwing of lines or rings impossible. He swam 500 feet in darkness and succeeded in bringing the man back to safety.