The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Yeoman First Class John J. Pica, United States Navy, for distinguished heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, following action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Midway Island, on 6 June 1942. Although injured seriously enough to require subsequent hospitalization, Yeoman First Class Pica, after abandoning ship, voluntarily gave up his space on a life raft in order to make room for a shipmate who was more gravely wounded than he. With utter disregard for his own condition, he swam until he was picked up later by a lifeboat.