The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Seaman Recruit Frederic W. Whitehurst, United States Navy, for heroism in attempting to rescue two men from a car that had plunged into a lake at Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia, on the morning of 16 January 1965. Upon observing that a car had skidded off the highway and into the water, Seaman Recruit Whitehurst leaped from his own car and jumped into the icy water. After being assured that the driver of the vehicle could reach shore without assistance, Seaman Recruit Whitehurst attempted to rescue the passenger. With the aid of another rescuer, he tried to bring the drowning man to shore, but the man slipped from his grasp and disappeared beneath the surface of the water.