The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Boatswain’s Mate First Class Astro A. Perez, United States Navy, for heroic conduct on the night of 29 November 1963 while serving on board U.S.S. PETREL (ASR-14). As a member of PETREL’s volunteer rescue and recovery party, which was organized to attempt the rescue of survivors of a yacht which had sunk in storm-tossed waters approximately 50 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, Sea Buoy, Boatswain’s Mate First Class Perez dived from the main deck of PETREL into the extremely heavy seas, swam to the side of two survivors, one of whom appeared lifeless, and aided in the recovery of both men. In risking his own life to save the lives of others, Boatswain’s Mate First Class Perez displayed exceptional courage and selflessness.