The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Electrician’s Mate Second Class Ralph Borrelli, Jr. (NSN: 4014832), United States Navy, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy. On the night of 24 March 1943, at 1833 hours, while operating from Naval Advance Base ACIT, the YMS-86 was making efforts to take in tow a Navy OS2U plane that had been forced down at sea. The pilot and observer were safely taken off the plane by an aircraft crash boat that had previously arrived at the plane. The engineer of the crash boat, Fireman First Class William Henry Strohmeyer, and Chief Boatswain’s Mate S.F. Fisher were attempting to affix a tow line to the plane when due to the roughness of the sea (wind from N.E., velocity 18-20 knots, sea choppy with moderate swells) the plane suddenly capsized, throwing both men in the water. Fisher was thrown clear but Strohmeyer was entangled in the tow line and rigging of the plane and pulled beneath the surface of the water when he swallowed considerable sea water. The tow line was immediately cut and Strohmeyer came to the surface in a very weakened condition calling for help. The ship in the meantime had drifted approximately 100 yards from the men in the water and some trouble was had in holding the searchlight on them in as much as the roll was about 25 degrees. Several life rings and jackets were thrown to the men but Strohmeyer was too weak to reach any of them. The Navy aircraft type inflatable jacket he was wearing failed to function due to the mouthpiece valves leaking. At about this time, Electrician’s Mate Second Class Borrelli came on deck from the generator room where he had been on watch. During the brief instant when the light picked up the men in the water, he recognized the critical situation and fruitless efforts of Strohmeyer to stay afloat. Electrician’s Mate Second Class Borrelli, hesitating only long enough to remove his shoes, dove in and swam to Strohmeyer and by extremely heroic efforts and personal discomfort, in as much as the waves were breaking over him, managed to bring Strohmeyer, who was now unconscious, to safety. He was subsequently revived with no ill effects.