The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant William J. Cole, United States Navy, for heroic conduct following a serious explosion aboard the cruiser in which he was serving on 7 October 1942. Lieutenant Cole rushed to within a few feet of the explosion area to set depth charges on safe before going below, where, braving intense heat and noxious gasoline fumes, he assisted in the rescue of three men from burning compartments. After the fire was extinguished, he returned to the distorted racks containing the depth charges, skillfully disarmed them and threw them over the side.