The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Coxswain Marcel Vincent Viens (NSN: 6660480), United States Navy, for heroic conduct during World War II. After witnessing an unsuccessful attempt to save a comrade trapped in a gas-filled compartment, Coxswain Viens entered the compartment in which his unconscious shipmate lay and secured a line around him. Although finally overcome by the fumes himself, his action succeeded in saving the life of his comrade.