The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Ship’s Serviceman Third Class Willie E. Johnson, United States Navy, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in rescuing a shipmate from drowning in San Diego Bay, California, during the hours of darkness on 2 April 1957. Observing two men fall overboard from a water taxi into the swift-running current, Ship’s Serviceman Second Class Johnson immediately jumped into the frigid waters from an adjacent vessel and, after an unsuccessful attempt to reach one of the drowning men, swam to the aid of the other.