The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Paul Zipperi, United States Navy, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving on board U.S.S. NIPMUC (ATF-157) on 10 February 1959. Sounding the alarm when he observed a shipmate fall overboard, Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Zipperi, aware that the ship might not reach the victim in time, leaped into the icy waters and swam a distance of approximately 75 yards through 10 to 12-foot swells in a vain attempt to effect a rescue. Suffering from exhaustion and exposure, he was helped aboard his ship.