The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Ensign John Simmons, United States Coast Guard, for heroic conduct while serving onboard the U.S.S. COMANCHE (WPG-76) in effecting the rescue of survivors from the torpedoed S.S. DORCHESTER on 3 February 1943. When the be-numbed survivors of the DORCHESTER were unable, because of heavy seas and freezing wind, to make any effort to climb onboard the rescuing ship, Ensign Simmons volunteered for the dangerous task of going over the side and working in the rough, freezing water in order to assist the exhausted and helpless survivors in reaching the safety of the COMANCHE. In spite of the strong, sub-freezing wind and the near freezing rough seas, he ignored all discomforts and danger and worked with complete disregard for his own safety until he and his fellow volunteers had rescued a total of 93 survivors from certain death in the steadily mounting seas. The bravery, determination, and disregard for his own safety displayed by Ensign Simmons in assisting in the rescue of almost one hundred helpless survivors were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.