The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class David L. Zegers, United States Navy, for heroic conduct on the night of 23 December 1961 while on authorized liberty from U.S.S. MIDWAY (CVA-41). Proceeding to his hotel room in Oakland, California, when he observed a man with a rifle threatening three women from the open doorway of their room, Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class Zegers calmly approached the man, who was obviously unbalanced, engaged him in conversation, and succeeded in coaxing him from the room into a service elevator, stepping out as the elevator door closed. Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class Zegers then notified the management of the situation and, upon learning that the armed man had inquired at the desk for the manage and had returned to the upper floors, quickly rushed back to the room occupied by the three women, remaining there until the police arrived and apprehended the deranged man.