The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Seaman First Class James Boyette, United States Coast Guard, for heroism as a member of the crew of the U.S.C.G.C. 16 during rescue operations off the French coast, in June 1944. When a patrol craft was hit by enemy shellfire and many of her crew thrown into the water, Seaman First Class Boyette volunteered to go over the side and try to rescue some of the survivors. He did this knowing their personal jeopardy from this sea and the enemy shot which were falling with great intensity.