The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Lars Wanggaard, Jr., United States Navy, for heroic conduct as ship’s boat officer aboard the U.S.S. LAFFEY (DD-459), 15 September 1942, during the rescue of survivors from the torpedoed U.S.S. WASP (CV-7). Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Wanggaard brought his boat close to the burning and exploding carrier innumerable times to rescue exhausted survivors. He swam to the assistance of many who were in a weakened condition and brought them to safety.