The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Shipfitter Second Class Donald J. Valois, United States Navy, for heroic conduct on 19 December 1960 while serving on board U.S.S. REMEY (DD-688). As a member of REMEY’s rescue and assistance detail, which was sent to aid in fighting a fire on board U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64) at Pier J, New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York, Shipfitter Second Class Valois unhesitatingly descended to the second deck in the after section of the burning ship and carried an injured man to safety. After this rescue, he removed a second injured man from an area above the hangar deck in the face of intense heat and heavy smoke. He then assisted in removing several more casualties from this area. Finally, though partially overcome by smoke, and suffering from heat and exhaustion, he carried an unconscious teammate off the ship to safety.