The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Seaman Second Class Charles Everett Balcom, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the attempt to save the life of a shipmate on 7 June 1944, when the U.S.S. TIDE (AM-125) was sunk as a result of an underwater explosion. Although severely wounded at the time, Seaman Second Class Balcom leaped into the water and attempted to rescue a shipmate who had been blown overboard by the force of the explosion. When passed a line, Seaman Second Class Balcom refused to save himself by persisting in his efforts to rescue the other man and drowned himself. Had he been willing to abandon his attempts at rescue, he himself could have been saved. The heroism displayed by Seaman Balcom on this occasion reflects great credit upon the United States Naval Service.