The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant William V. Gough, Jr., United States Navy, for heroic conduct in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands on 27 December 1941. As second pilot of a Patrol Plane attacking Japanese naval units he was shot down and forced to swim 30 hours to reach shore. Through his assistance survivors were able to make a 15-day journey to their command to renew offensive patrols against the enemy.



