The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant Donald Ayre, United States Navy, for heroism while serving as Command Duty Officer of U.S.S. FORREST ROYAL (DD-872), anchored in the open sea off Rhodes, Greece, on the night of 26 December 1965. When he was notified that the coxswain of the ship’s boat had fallen into the heavy seas without a life jacket and was rapidly being swept away from the ship, Lieutenant Ayre plunged into the turbulent waters, swam to the boat and took charge of it. After the victim was located, attempts to maneuver the boat near the man were unsuccessful because of the heavy seas. Plunging into the water a second time, Lieutenant Ayer swam to the side of the almost unconscious coxswain and managed to tow him to the ship’s boat, where both men were lifted to safety.