The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Ernest Eugene Angus, United States Navy, for heroic and courageous conduct in rescuing two survivors of a torpedoed merchantman in the North Atlantic on 18 March 1944. During rescue operations of survivors of a recently torpedoed merchant vessel the U.S.S. REEVES approached close to two exhausted, helpless men who were unable to swim to the side of the ship in order to grasp the life net and climb on board. On seeing their condition, Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Angus voluntarily dove into the water, proceeded to, and assisted the spent survivors to the side of the ship where he assisted them in climbing the net. This self-sacrificing action was undertaken by Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Angus in spite of the icy, oil-covered water into which he dived and the possibility that known presence of an enemy submarine would force the U.S.S. REEVES to cease rescue operations in order to leave the area or attack. Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Angus’ courageous action, voluntarily performed, and at the peril of his own life was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.