The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chief Quartermaster Melvin J. Duran, United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct when the U.S.S. SWERVE, to which he was attached, sank off Anzio on 9 July 1944. Chief Duran assisted other members of the crew to abandon ship, remaining on board until he had exhausted all possibility of helping injured and trapped men. When he finally left the ship, he swam to a group of survivors and helped support and care for those who were in danger of drowning until all were rescued.