(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Boatswain’s Mate First Class Vernon W. Damewood, United States Coast Guard, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism in rescuing an officer from drowning in Eniwetok Lagoon on 22 February 1944. The officer whose field pack became entangled in the debarkation ladder sustained painful injure and fell into the water with full equipment. Boatswain’s Mate First Class Damewood dove overboard inflated the victim’s life belt, cut away his equipment and hailed a passing boat. His quick action saved the officer’s life.