The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Ordnanceman First Class Richard E. Nelson, United States Navy, for heroism as a crew member of a patrol plane in Electronic Countermeasures Squadron One during a routine training mission over international waters in the Sea of Japan on 16 June 1959. When two MIG fighter-aircraft suddenly executed a series of attacks against the patrol plane, wounding the tail gunner and inflicting extensive damage, Nelson administered first aid to the wounded man and shielded him with his own body during one of the attacks, while bullets pierced the fuselage of the plane. In addition, he took charge of the after part of the aircraft, organized the crew members, and established evacuation stations in case ditching became necessary.