(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Ensign Wilbur Reece Smith, United States Coast Guard, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroic conduct while serving aboard a Destroyer Escort during the rescue of survivors of the sunk U.S.S. LEOPOLD in the North Atlantic area on the night of 9 March 1944. Courageously volunteering to assist in the rescue activities Ensign Smith, although fully aware that his own ship might be forced to leave the area to avoid hostile torpedoes or to attack enemy submarines operating in the vicinity unhesitatingly went over the side into the ice, oil-covered waters and working tirelessly and with utter disregard for personal safety, secured life line around the exhausted survivors continue his battle against the rough seas. Ensign Smith’s initiative and unselfish efforts on behalf of his comrades were contributing factors in the saving of many lives.