The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chief Boatswain’s Mate James A. Clifton, United States Navy, for heroic conduct as a member of the beach party which rescued the crew of a U.S. warship aground off Tenaga Island, Alaska, during World War II. When a highline carried away and a man was thrown into the water he promptly manned and launched a small home-made boat, although he had no life jacket. Courageously maneuvering the frail craft through tumultuous surf, he assisted in hauling the injured man into the boat and returned him safely to the beach.