The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Roy C. Nelson, United States Coast Guard, for heroic performance of duty during rescue operation o survivors of the torpedoed U.S.S. LEOPOLD in the North Atlantic on 9 March 1944. Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Nelson volunteered to go over the side of his ship into the cold water to assist in the rescue of exhausted survivors. Unmindful of his own safety he worked in rough oil covered water securing life lines around helpless survivors until he became benumbed by cold and exhaustion. His action resulted in the saving of lives which other wise would have been lost.