The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Mineman First Class Kenneth E. Harder, United States Navy, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving on board the United States Naval Harbor Defense Unit, San Francisco, California, on the afternoon of 8 June 1959. Hearing cries for help while he was working in a building adjacent to the dock, Mineman First Class Harder immediately rushed out onto the pier and observed two people in the water being swept out to sea by the swift current. Quickly removing his clothes, he snatched a life ring, plunged into the treacherous waters and swam a distance of approximately 200 yards to the side of the victims, a father and his three-year-old son. Despite the strong current and cold and choppy waters, Mineman First Class Harder managed to keep all of them above water until a rescue craft arrived.