(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Seaman First Class Charles T. Merritt, United States Coast Guard, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism in the attempted rescue of a shipmate on 12 May 1945 while attached to the U.S.S. Army LST-652. He was coxswain of the small boat which was proceeding to a landing on the Passig River, Manila, Philippine Islands, and while en-route, a shipmate fell from the boat and struck his head on the propeller. Seaman First Class Merritt immediately dove for the unconscious men and made fire valiant efforts to save him.