The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chief Torpedoman’s Mate Duane Earl Ashmead (NSN: 3214499), United States Navy, for heroism while the U.S.S. IRWIN (DD-794) was conducting fire fighting and rescue operations alongside an aircraft carrier on 24 October 1944. With complete disregard of his own safety, he voluntarily and courageously dove overboard from his ship and succeeded in cutting loose a man who had become tangled in a maze of abandon ship lines trailing over the side of the carrier. He also assisted four or five other survivors to make the side of the ship. Only when physically exhausted did he leave the water. His conduct was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.