The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Philip C. Painter, United States Navy, for heroic conduct on 29 July 1960 while serving on board U.S.S. SUMNER (DD-692). When an aircraft crashed into the sea after the tail hook of the plane parted while landing on U.S.S. SARATOGA (CVA-50), SUMNER, as plane guard, approached the aircraft to render whatever assistance was possible. Although Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Painter was not one of the rescue party in SUMNER, he voluntarily leaped into the water and swam to the aircraft in an attempt to rescue one of the downed airmen who was afloat just aft of the starboard wing. Securing a firm grip on the airman, he swam a few yards toward the ship before realizing part of the victim’s survival gear was caught onto the aircraft. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Painter quickly dived beneath the surface of the water in a vain effort to disengage the fouled gear. He then received a line from SUMNER and was engaged in tying it to the parachute harness of the airman when the airplane sank, pulling the man down with it. Persisting in his efforts, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Painter followed the victim beneath the water and again attempted to release him, but to no avail. He demonstrated courageous and selfless actions in risking his own life in an attempt to save the life of another.