The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Seaman Second Class Elmo Jewett Hyatt (NSN: 6144344), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving aboard a United States merchant ship which was torpedoed by an enemy submarine during World War II. With utter disregard for his own life, Seaman Second Class Hyatt, who had been sleeping at the after gun prior to the enemy attack, jumped clear of the burning oil and gasoline and dived into the sea to rescue two helpless shipmates. Imperiling his own safety by taking off his life jacket to share it with the drowning men, Seaman Second Class Hyatt succeeded for a time in calming them by his cool and encouraging assistance. His heroic efforts, however, were unavailing and the men were drowned in the ensuing struggle.