The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Shipfitter Fireman Richard A. Gonzales, United States Navy, for heroic conduct during the hours of darkness on the early morning of 18 February 1962, while serving on board U.S.S. TALUGA (AO-62), en route to rendezvous with the SEVENTH Fleet. When he and another crew member were swept overboard from TALUGA by an unusually large wave, Shipfitter Gonzales, although hurt, swam to the side of his seriously injured and unconscious shipmate, and managed to keep his head above water in the heavy seas for more than an hour until both were rescued safely.