The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant Russel W. Rome, United States Navy, for heroic conduct during World War II. When a merchant vessel transporting six smaller boats was torpedoed and began to settle rapidly, Lieutenant Rome labored tirelessly to release and float the boats before the sinking vessel pulled them down. He worked with his crews all night to free four of the six boats, which were brought safely to port.