The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Coxswain Charles J. Christel, United States Navy, for heroic conduct while a member of a small boat crew during the invasion of Italy in 1944. Coxswain Christel tirelessly assisted in laying smoke around a burning and exploding cargo ship. He assisted in the rescue of five survivors from the water, exposing himself to gasoline fires to reach one of the men who was severely wounded.