The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Yeoman Second Class Joseph DeHaven Adams (NSN: 618319), United States Navy, for heroism in the line of his profession. When the ship on which he was serving was torpedoed and sunk on 3 October 1943, Yeoman Second Class Adams took charge of a wounded shipmate, placed him in a life jacket and helped him over the side. After helping many of the wounded over the side he proceeded to the ship’s office, salvaged the ship’s records, and abandoned ship. Further, while in the water he found two wounded shipmates, and, without regard for his personal safety, abandoned the records to hold up the two injured men. On being relieved of one of the men by an officer, he swam 300 yards to the nearest life raft with the other. His heroic actions saved the lives of at least two men, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.