The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Sonarman Third Class Neal D. Dodd, 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 coast of France during June 1944. When PC-1261 was hit by shellfire and many of her crew thrown into the water, Sonarman Third Class Dodd volunteered to go over the side and try to rescue some of the survivors from the sea and the enemy shells which were falling with great intensity. Through his gallant action the loss of life from PC-1261 was kept at a minimum.