The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Boatswain’s Mate Second Class James B. North, United States Coast Guard, for heroism as a crew member of the U.S.C.G.C. 16 during rescue operations off the coast of France in June 1944. Boatswain’s Mate Second Class North, when PC-1261 was hit by enemy shellfire and many of her crew thrown into the water, volunteered to go over the side to rescue survivors, despite rough seas and intense enemy fire. Through his gallant action loss of life from PC-1261 was kept at a minimum.