The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Philip D. Quirk, United States Navy, for heroic conduct while serving aboard a United States Submarine during a war patrol in enemy controlled waters during World War II. During a period of intense activity, Commander Quirk, by skillfully maneuvering his submarine into striking position and accurately directing torpedoes and gunfire, attacked and sank 16,435 tons of hostile shipping.