(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander A. E. Del Pra, United States Coast Guard, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism in handling and beaching a burning vessel at Finschhafen, New Orleans , 23 August 1944. Following a boiler explosion on a merchant ship, fire broke out. The ship had been abandoned by the crew when Lieutenant Commander Del Pra boarded her, directed beaching operations, remained with the ship until the fire was under control, and was largely responsible for preventing her sinking and preventing the spread of fire to other vessels.