The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant, Junior Grade William T. Gray, United States Coast Guard, for heroic conduct while serving aboard a Coast Guard Cutter during rescue of survivors from the U.S.S. PLYMOUTH, on 5 August 1943. Observing several men floating helplessly downwind in the turbulent seas, he received permission to assemble a volunteer crew, launched a small pulling boat from the deck of his rescue ship and picked up many survivors from the shark-infested waters. Although the boat nearly flooded, his determination saved many men who might otherwise have perished.