The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Boatswain’s Mate First Class Max E. Ford, United States Navy, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving on board U.S.S. NIPMUC (ATF-157) on 10 February 1959. Observing that a shipmate had exhausted his strength and was in danger of drowning after an unsuccessful attempt to rescue another man from the heavy seas, Boatswain’s Mate First Class Ford leaped into the icy water and swam a distance of approximately 30 yards through 10 to 12-foot swells to render assistance.