The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Hospital Corpsman First Class Charles R. Poole, United States Navy, for heroism on 6 March 1967, while serving aboard U.S.S. KEMPER COUNTY (LST-854). Upon hearing that one of his shipmates had become violently disturbed and was threatening himself and others with a pistol, Petty Officer Poole went to the scene where he confronted the man. He continued to approach him and seized the weapon and unloaded it. His prompt action was responsible for the removal of a serious threat to the life of the disturbed man and those of his shipmates.