Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Seaman 1st Class

Unit:

U.S.S. Wasp (CV-7), U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

June 1943

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Seaman First Class Rosalio Mario Rizzi, United States Navy, for his work as coxswain of a small boat during the rescue operations in the Pacific area after the torpedoing of the U.S.S. WASP (CV-7) by Japanese forces on 15 September 1942. He assisted his comrades in maneuvering the small boat through the debris-littered sea, which was covered with flaming oil, and worked unceasingly to rescue survivors from the stricken carrier. Knowing that quantities of gasoline stored in the WASP might explode at any minute, Seaman First Class Rizzi and his shipmates nevertheless took his boat under the starboard bow of the flaming carrier and rescued personnel isolated in the forward gun galleys and on the flight deck and trapped by fire and exploding ammunition. Although menaced by bursting shells, he kept on with his work of rescue.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 315 (posthumously)