The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Seaman Buddy A. Conley, United States Navy, for heroic conduct on 17 December 1960 while serving on board U.S.S. CONSTANT (MSO-427), en route in column from Sasebo, Japan, to Kaohsiung, Taiwan. When a shipmate accidentally fell overboard from the fantail of CONSTANT into heavy seas, Seaman Conley unhesitatingly dived into the icy waters and swam to the side of the panic-stricken victim with a life ring. Both men were quickly rescued by U.S.S. PIVOT (MSO-463), the next ship in column. Through his prompt and courageous efforts in an emergency, Seaman Conley was directly instrumental in saving the life of a shipmate.