The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Hospitalman Corpsman Second Class Albert M. Hetrick, Jr., United States Navy, for heroism on the night of 4 November 1963 in effecting the rescue of a man who had leaped from the Motor Vessel SAN DIEGO while entering the slip in San Diego, California. Hearing cries of “man overboard,” Hospitalman Corpsman Second Class Hetrick rushed to the stern of the ferry, plunged into the dark and treacherous waters, and swam a distance of approximately 100 feet to reach the victim, who was being swept seaward by the current. Although pulled under water several times by the struggling man, Hospitalman Corpsman Second Class Hetrick succeeded in towing him to a boat which had been lowered from the ferry. Through his prompt and courageous actions in the face of grave personal risk, he was directly responsible for saving a life.