The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Motor Machinist’s Mate Second Class John H. Roberts, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism while attached to the U.S.S. LANSDALE following an attack by enemy aircraft off the coast of Algeria on the night of 20 April 1944. After the U.S.S. LANSDALE had been torpedoed by enemy torpedo planes, Motor Machinist’s Mate Second Class Roberts went below decks to procure a life belt for a shipmate who could not find one. While in the water after the ship was abandoned, he risked his life to save a man in danger of drowning and assisted him to a life raft.