The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Seaman Kenneth J. Snider, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the night of 22 December 1973 while serving as a crew member of Coast Guard Utility Boat 40420, assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard Station, Port Isabel, Texas when he rescued a drowning crewman from the sinking fishing vessel ORIENTAL CLIPPER off the entrance jetties to Brazos Santiago Pass, Texas. The man was one of three crew members of the ill-fated fishing vessel which struck the jetty on Boca Chica during a storm and began sinking. Two of the crew reached the relative safety of the jetties, the third crewman had climbed the mast seeking safety. As soon as the distress message was received, CG-40420 was dispatched to assist. Upon arrival on scene, Seaman Snider saw the crew member slip from his precarious perch on the mast of the stricken vessel, fall into the cold water, and disappear. Realizing the man’s plight and that the coxswain could not maneuver the boat close enough to rescue the man, Seaman Snider immediately dived into the swirling waters and swam toward the area where the man had submerged. Despite six to eight-foot seas, cold air and water temperatures, 20-knot winds, and oil from the wreck which caused momentary blindness, Seaman Snider struggled on in his attempt to reach the survivor, who had surfaced again. Finding his tending line was not long enough, Seaman Snider without hesitation cast off his safety line and was able to reach the drowning man and pull him to the Coast Guard boat where both were safely pulled aboard. Seaman Snider’s initiative, fortitude and daring, in spite of imminent personal danger, resulted in saving the man’s life. His unselfish actions, courage, and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.