The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Carpenter (CEC) George C. Bethune (NSN: 247465), United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States by assisting in the rescue of survivors of the U.S.S. LST-333 which had been torpedoed in the Mediterranean Sea on 22 June 1943. Carpenter Bethune was thrown from the ship into the sea by the force of the torpedo explosion sustaining severe injuries. Upon noticing another member of the crew in a drowning condition nearby, he immediately swam towards this man and with great effort despite his own injuries effected the rescue of the drowning man by sharing his own life jacket. Carpenter Bethune’s heroic action was an inspiration to the balance of the personnel assisting in rescuing survivors, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.