Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Gunner’s Mate Third Class

    Division:

    S.S. Mark Keppel

    Action Date:

    June 29, 1943

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Gunner’s Mate Third Class Vernon Arlo Boyd (NSN: 6200760), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy. On 29 June 1943, one of the members of the Armed Guard aboard the S.S. MARK KEPPEL, Seaman First Class G. H. Gutierrez, was in a small boat about 100 yards astern of the anchored ship when he got caught in the perilous current of which he was unaware, and overturned, getting his foot caught so that for some time he was unable to extricate himself, Gunner’s Mate Third Class Boyd, leading Petty Officer, seeing the man’s predicament, immediately dived overboard, swam through the swift current to where the man was last seen. Meanwhile, Gutierrez got his foot free, but was rendered unconscious and went under. Gunner’s Mate Third Class Boyd dived under and found the man, brought him to the surface and held him up until the boat arrived and picked them up. Gunner’s Mate Third Class Boyd immediately began rendering artificial respiration and continued administering same when the unconscious man was carried to a barge, until after several minutes, the man who had been practically drowned regained consciousness, and he is now on the way to complete recover. Gunner’s Mate Third Class Boyd acted heroically and without thought for his own safety, and is responsible for the saving of Gutierrez’s life. This unselfish act, which was the highlight of a series of fine things which he has accomplished, are a credit to the Armed Guard Unit and the United States Naval Service.