The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Seaman Second Class Louis E. Gennaro, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, as members of an Armed Guard crew of a United States merchant vessel during the torpedoing and sinking of his vessel by an enemy submarine during World War II. When the concussion from an exploding torpedo injured one of his shipmates, Seaman Second Class Gennaro, with utter disregard for his own safety aboard the rapidly sinking ship, remained behind to render aid. He dragged the injured man to the rail, shoved him over the side, then grabbed a life ring and jumped after him. By securing more preservers which were floating in the water, he kept himself and his shipmate safely afloat until they were picked up by a life raft.