The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Boatswain’s Mate First Class Joseph Albert Anthony, United States Navy, for heroic conduct and outstanding initiative as a member of the United States Navy Armed Guard serving aboard the S.S. ROBERT ERSKINE which was grounded during a storm ten miles off the North Coast of Africa, 6 January 1944. Promptly assuming charge when his commanding officer had abandoned ship to assist in ferrying men ashore, Boatswain’s Mate First Class Anthony skillfully supervised the lowering of lifeboats and the discharging of rafts as the ROBERT ERSKINE rolled and pitched under the constant pounding of heavy seas and finally broke in two. Fearing the imminent explosion of demolition bombs and detonating fuses stored in the bow as the two parts were blown abeam, frequently colliding in the rough weather, Boatswain’s Mate First Class Anthony, with the assistance of the men remaining aboard, rigged and lowered a cushion between the parts to absorb the shock, gallantly standing vigilant watch throughout the night until the arrival of a rescue boat. His exceptional courage during this precarious period contributed to the saving of many lives and reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.