The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class William N. Hoff, United States Navy, for heroic conduct as Engineer Officer attached to the U.S.S. ELIZABETH C. STANTON during the invasion of Italy in 1944. When that ship was attempting to unload he observed a comrade carried off shore by the wash of the propellers. Unhesitatingly he went to his rescue, bringing him safe to shore.