The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Pharmacists Mate Second Class Walter S. Cochran, United States Navy, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving as a Medical Corpsman aboard the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), on 8 May 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Cochran faithfully and tirelessly administered to the wounded in an area frequented by violent explosions and fire aboard the U.S.S. LEXINGTON during the Battle of the Coral Sea. When the area became untenable, Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Cochran transferred the injured to a point of safety, then returned to make sure that all of the men had been evacuated. He undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his shipmates who might otherwise have perished.