The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to George W. Blake (MCSN: 464422), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism while attached to a Marine Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, on 23 May 1945. As a member of a searchlight section, Corporal Blake led a party to the rescue of personnel of a patrol boat which had capsized some distance from shore. Disregarding the dangerous surf and treacherous undertow, he made his way into the water three times, saving the lives of two men and attempting to save another. His high courage was an example to the other men in the area and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.