The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Briggs, III (NSN: 0-363081), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism in diving on Wreck Number SEVEN during salvage operations in Manila Harbor from 19 November 1945 to January 1946. He voluntarily, and under hazardous conditions dove before enlisted divers were permitted in the water. He dove under the stern of the wreck which was a deformed, torn mass of sharp steel on which his life line or air line could have been cut at any time. While below the wreckage on the dive, had his lines been caught and cut, his tender could not have been aware of his plight and he would have had a very minor chance of surviving to reach the surface. Also, zero visibility in the wreckage, where it was easy to be trapped, was a common occurrence. He dove in holds where gasoline and oil drums were strewn dangerously above him due to previous explosions. His diving was voluntary, standing out above all normal expectations, and was carried out in the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.