The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Ensign Richard L. Fuller, United States Coast Guard, for heroic conduct while attached to the U.S.C.G.C. NORTHLAND in connection with the rescue of U.S. Army personnel stranded or the Greenland Ice Cap on 11 November 1942. When winter weather conditions forced withdrawal, Ensign Fuller on 4 December 1942, volunteered to remain as officer-in-charge of a detail of four men to be left at the Beach Head Station. This party was to attempt to rescue nine U.S. Army officer and men stranded on the Ice Cap and to locate the wreckage of a Coast Guard plane which had crashed the area. Under extreme weather conditions which exposed him to great danger and suffering he pushed on over the Ice Cap to within six miles of the marooned aviators. He was compelled to turn back when confronted with impassable crevasses. After he had made several valiant attempts to reach the flyers, his feet were frozen and he was forced to return to his station.