Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Chief Boatswain’s Mate

    Division:

    U.S.S. Salinan (ATF-161)

    Action Date:

    May 30, 1969

    All Hands (May 1960)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chief Boatswain’s Mate Oscar AA. Hill, United States Navy, for heroism while serving on board U.S.S. SALINAN (ATF 161) in waters off Andros Island, the West Indies, on 30 May 1959. When a shipmate was struck and knocked over the side of Salinan by a one-inch wire which had jumped out of the stern rollers and swept across the deck, Hill immediately dived overboard, swam approximately 100 yards to the victim, and kept him afloat until another rescuer, with a life-ring, swam to them to give further assistance. With the buoyancy of one life-ring insufficient to hold them up, Hill attempted to obtain additional rings which had been tossed from the ship. Although in a state of almost complete exhaustion, he persevered in his efforts until he observed the ship’s whale boat proceeding to pick up the other two men.