The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate Joseph T. O. Marquis, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Second Pilot of a Ready Duty Patrol Plane, Fleet Air Detachment, San Diego, California, 10 January 1942. Chief Machinist Mate Marquis and his Patrol Plane Commander, Ensign Joseph A. Ekar, A-V(N), USNR, successfully rescued at sea Captain Graham E. Benson, USMC, and Corporal C. S. Pierson, USMC, who, after a forced landing of their plane were adrift at sea in a small aviation emergency rubber boat. When the rescue boat which went to their aid was disabled, he assisted Ensign Ekar in skillfully and courageously landing his plane in very unfavorable seas, and in taking off parallel to the swells without injury to any personnel of the plane.