The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Seaman Eugene B. Szczech, Jr., United States Navy, for heroism on 19 November 1967, while serving aboard U.S.S. PRAIRIE (AD-15), at Pearl Harbor. While walking along the water’s edge at Waimea Bay, Seaman Szczech and three shipmates were engulfed by a large wave which carried one man into the surf. Seaman Szczech, aware of the personal dangers involved, dived into the high surf and strong undertow in an effort to rescue his friend. He began to struggle in the water when the surf and undertow proved too strong for him. Several rescue attempts were made by his shipmates, but were unsuccessful due to the dangerous surf and undertow.