The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to First Lieutenant Chase Jeremiah Edwards, United States Air Force, for heroism while serving at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, on 17 June 2006. First Lieutenant Edwards was the groom of a wedding party assembled at Monastery Beach when he heard shouts from a group of people standing at the far end of the beach looking seaward. He spotted a woman approximately 150 yards out to sea calling for help and struggling in vain to return to shore. Realizing the danger she was in, First Lieutenant Edwards entered the pounding six-foot waves almost fully clothed and swam toward the woman. By the time he reached her, she appeared to be suffering from hypothermia from prolonged exposure to the cold water and could no longer use her arms and legs effectively. First Lieutenant Edwards began his return to shore with the victim in tow. He tried unsuccessfully to avoid the crashing surf by riding the swells in but was caught by the powerful waves and forced to the bottom, into the reach of the strong undertow. First Lieutenant Edwards continued to fight his way to shore holding the now helpless victim. Once close to shore, he was assisted by two other members of the party, but First Lieutenant Edwards lost his footing and was pulled back under the relentless surf by the strong undercurrent and was unable to reach the shore. With the victim safely on shore, First Lieutenant Edwards was assisted back to shore. By his courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk, First Lieutenant Edwards prevented the loss of life, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.