The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Seaman Second Class Clifton B. Walker, United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct while serving on board a tank landing ship in the New Georgia area on 18 August 1943. Seaman Second Class Walker volunteered to assist in rescuing a shipmate who was injured and pinned down under debris following an explosion. He made his way to the compartment, despite fumes and burning gasoline, and assisted in removing the man to the upper deck where he was transferred to a life raft.