The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Gunner’s Mate First Class (Retired) George A. Fassler, United States Navy, for gallant and intrepid conduct at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, in courageously disarming an unexploded enemy Japanese shell the night of 23 February 1942. When a shell from an enemy submarine struck a clay bank above the oil refinery at Elwood, California, failed to explode and ricocheted from the bank to a wooden pier where it came to rest, Gunner’s Mate First Class Fassler was selected as the man best qualified for the task of disarming it. With full understanding of the possible consequences and in the face of warnings as to the dangerous character of the projectile, Gunner’s Mate First Class Fassler coolly approached the shell in the space where it had been roped off and fearlessly disarmed it by removing the fuse. His courageous action, performed at the peril of his own life, provided an opportunity for the thorough study of the recovered shell.