The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class James E. Smallwood, United States Navy, for heroic conduct on 14 June 1960 while serving on board U.S.S. SARGO (SS(N)-583), moored at the Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While supervising the operation of charging high pressure oxygen into SARGO’s storage banks. Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class Smallwood firmly and meticulously carried out the ship’s safety precautions requiring isolation of the charging compartment from the remainder of the vessel. Aware of the potential danger involved, he kept the watertight door and bulkhead flappers shut. Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class Smallwood lost his life in a raging fire which broke out during the oxygen charge. Through his steadfast adherence to safety precautions, he undoubtedly prevented further loss of life and probable major disaster.