The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Sherwin Hendricks, United States Navy, for heroic conduct and outstanding devotion to duty while attached to the tugboat U.S.S. Tamaha (YN-44), during the Battle of Midway 4 – 7 June 1942, in effecting the rescue of an Army pilot near Midway Island. It was impossible for the ship to approach an injured pilot close enough to render aid. Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Hendricks, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, immediately volunteered to carry a line to the pilot despite heavy seas and the probable presence of sharks in the area. His dauntless courage and keen initiative above and beyond the call of duty, were directly responsible for saving the pilot’s life, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.