The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Petty Officer Second Class James Arthur Dingee, United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct while attacked to a naval salvage force during the invasion of Sicily in September 1943. When the U.S.S. SC-696 and U.S.S. SC-694 were set afire by enemy bombs, he worked tirelessly to control the blaze despite an intense air attack and persisted until bombs again struck and exploded the craft.