The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Radioman Second Class Stanley Nelson Whitby, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism in saving the life of his pilot when the dive bomber, in which he was flying as rear seat gunner, was forced to make a water landing during an attack on enemy positions in the Mariana Islands on 23 July 1944. Although the plane was down within easy range off enemy shore batteries he, with utter disregard for his own injuries and his personal safety, succeeded in extricating the badly wounded and semi-conscious pilot from his parachute, lifting him from the cockpit and getting him into the water clear of the rapidly sinking plane. Once in the water he remained with the pilot and aided in keeping him afloat and his head above water until help arrived. His courage and heroism were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.