The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Corporal William W. Rogal (MCSN: 293903), United States Marine Corps, for heroic conduct while serving with the First Battalion, Second Marines, Reinforced, during a patrol on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 13 October 1942. As part of the point of a large patrol, proceeding from Aola to the airport, Corporal Rogal, immediately after fording a deep stream and attacking a small group of Japanese, saw an American plane crash into the sea near Koli Point. Despite his exhausted condition and the imminent danger of enemy attack, he unhesitatingly started swimming in the direction of the wrecked plane and, by his cool and daring courage, contributed in a large part to the saving of the pilot’s life. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.