The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Chief Ordnanceman Frederick A. Widel, United States Navy, for heroic achievement while on fire watch at Border Field on 5 May 1941. Aviation Chief Ordnanceman Widel saw two men parachuting from a disabled plane into the sea about 200 and 300 yards off shore, at Imperial Beach, California. He plunged into the sea and assisted the pilot to shore, then attempted to fight his way through the surf to reach the other man, who was floating unconscious in a life jacket. After four or five futile attempts, he was forced by exhaustion to return to the beach where he was given restorative treatment.