The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Airman Apprentice Melvin L. Norris, United States Navy, for heroism in attempting to rescue an accident victim on Salmon Mountain, Etna, California, on 27 December 1959. When a young girl, while sledding, missed a corner on a steep hill and slid over a high, snow-covered, nearly perpendicular embankment, Airman Apprentice Norris immediately proceeded down the precipitous slope to assist the victim. Within 40 feet of his destination, where the girl lay injured, he lost his footing and plunged to the bottom, sustaining injuries from which he died a few minutes later.