The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Quartermaster Third Class Vincent Jerome Allard, United States Navy, for heroism following the sinking of his ship, the U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS (CA-35), by enemy action three hundred miles north of the Palau Islands on 30 July 1945. During the following four days and five nights he not only caught fish for the group on the rafts and fashioned hats out of canvas to protect their heads from the sun, but also saved the lives of two men shortly after the ship sank by bringing them to the raft. His outstanding initiative and heroic conduct, performed in the face of great danger to himself, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.