The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Barton G. Slutske (NSN: 6747854), United States Navy, for heroism while serving on board the U.S.S. BEXAR (LPA-237) on 23 November 1963. Petty Officer Slutske was fishing with his wife on a public pier in Santa Monica, California. Fifty yards inland from where Petty Officer Slutske was standing the breakers were eight to ten feet high and the water was cold. Swimming was not allowed in this area because of the strong undertow and its distance from the beach lifeguard. Having heard a scream from a woman about twenty-five feet away, then seeing her fall into the water after her drowning baby, Petty Officer Slutske immediately, with complete disregard for his own safety and fully aware of the personal dangers involved, plunged about thirty feet into the water and dove to find the submerged child. He effected the rescue of the mother and child, keeping the helpless child and the hysterical mother afloat until a boat could arrive on the scene. His courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk undoubtedly saved the baby, and possibly the mother, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.