The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Boatswain’s Mate First Class Roy R. Roop, United States Navy, for heroism in averting an explosion aboard the U.S.S. CALVERT when a fire occurred in a hold of the ship. During the period 22 June 1943 to 5 July 1943, the U.S.S. CALVERT was moored in the harbor of Mers El Kebir, Algeria, while making preparations for the amphibious invasion of the Island of Sicily. A fire occurred in Number One hold of the U.S.S. CALVERT in which several hundred tons of ammunition were stored. Boatswain’s Mate First Class Roop promptly descended into the hold from which heavy smoke was pouring, and, with courageous disregard for his own safety, assisted in hoisting to the upper deck, a box of smoking chemical grenades, which, by the heat they generated, would soon have ignited the ammunition in the hold. This courageous conduct of Boatswain’s Mate First Class Roop, performed at great risk to himself, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.