The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Fireman Joseph P. Morrissette, United States Navy, for heroic conduct on the early morning of 7 January 1960, while serving on board U.S.S. KRISHNA (ARL-38) at the united States Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia. When a fellow serviceman fell from a vessel moored close to KRISHNA, Fireman Morrissette unhesitatingly dived into the frigid waters and swam to the side of the drowning man. Securing a firm hold on the victim, he managed to tow him to within 50 feet of safety where he was assisted by another man in the rescue.