The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Senior Chief Electronics Warfare Technician Eugene C. Mershell, United States Navy, for heroism while serving on board U.S.S. VOGE (FF-1047). On 28 December 1988, while standing on the pier in Palma De Mallorca, Spain, Senior Chief Petty Officer Mershell heard an undistinguishable sound coming from the vicinity of a fender attached to the pier adjacent to his ship. Having identified the source as one of his shipmates floundering in the water, Senior Chief Petty Officer Mershell, with complete disregard for his own personal safety and fully aware of the dangers involved, unhesitatingly plunged into 58-degree water and commenced a rescue. Working against a strong current and in close proximity to the ship, he was able to free the drowning victim from underneath the pier fender, calmed him and kept both the sailor and himself afloat until further assistance could be provided by other crewmembers. The arduous conditions present, including the disorientation of the drowning victim, almost complete darkness as well as several obstructions between the ship and the pier, contributed to the dangers involved in the rescue. By his courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk, Senior Chief Petty Officer Mershell saved the victim from drowning; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.