The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Eugene M. Bast, United States Navy, for heroic conduct during a transport landing at New Georgia Island during World War II. Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Bast unhesitatingly braved enemy fire to swim to the aid of a man swept away from a rubber boat. Despite rain and darkness, he brought the man back to the ship.