The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chief Engineman Michael Kilbury Ballinger, United States Navy, for heroism on 20 February 1980 while serving at the Naval Undersea Warfare Engineering Station, Keyport, Washington. Summoned to the scene of the overturned tugboat “FRANCIS W” in the vicinity of Lofall, Hood Canal, Washington, Chief Petty Officer Ballinger entered the water in scuba gear to investigate a tapping noise emitting from within the hull. Without regard for his own safety and fully aware of the personal dangers involved, he unhesitatingly made his way through the debris-strewn passageways and compartments of the capsized, sinking vessel. After swimming through a vertical trunk into an air pocket in the engine room, Chief Petty Officer Ballinger found a civilian crewman, shaken but alive. Chief Petty Officer Ballinger made two trips through the hull of the boat to properly outfit and train the non-swimming crewman in scuba and to escort him out of the hull. Chief Petty Officer Ballinger’s courageous and prompt action in the face of great personal risk undoubtedly saved the life of the civilian crewman; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.