The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chief Pharmacist’s Mate Peter Belcher (NSN: 2123858), United States Navy, for heroism while rescuing two unconscious enlisted men from a compartment filled with poisonous gasses on 25 August 1944. Under conditions of great personal danger from poisonous gasses and with complete disregard of his own safety, he voluntarily and courageously went below into the gas filled compartment and succeeded in dragging two enlisted men clear. His courage was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.