The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant Commander Arthur F. Pfister, United States Coast Guard, for heroic conduct as officer in charge of the fireboat Fleet, Port Security Command, Third Naval District, during fire fighting operations aboard the S.S. EL ESTERO, loaded with a cargo of explosives in New York harbor, New York, on 24 April 1943. Realizing the ever present danger of an explosion he boarded the burning vessel and skillfully directed the activities of three Coast Guard fireboats which assisted in controlling and extinguishing the fire. By his calm ad courageous leadership he inspired the personnel under his command and working tirelessly for hours contributed in large part to preventing an explosion which would have done incalculable damage to other vessels and vital installations in the harbor.