The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Robert H. Prause, United States Coast Guard, for heroic conduct as Executive Officer of the U.S.C.G.C. ESCANABA when that vessel rescued survivors of a torpedoed U.S. transport on 3 February 1943. As a result of forethought careful planning, organization and leadership of Lieutenant Prause, 133 survivors were rescued. This rescue was conducted over a period of eight hours in darkness, cold and heavy seas.