The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Albert Berendt (NSN: 3370424), United States Navy, for extraordinary courage and disregard for his own safety as a member of the U.S.S. LAFFEY (DD-459), in rescuing numerous survivors from the torpedoed U.S.S. WASP on 15 September 1942. At the time of the enemy torpedoing of the U.S.S. WASP he dived over the side innumerable times to swim considerable distances, with a line, to rescue exhausted survivors of that vessel. He has been listed as missing in action since 13 November 1942.