The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class John Francis Collins, United States Coast Guard, for outstanding courage as a member of a Repair Party assigned to rescue survivors of a partially abandoned tanker, the S.S. MASHBULK. When three men ere observed swimming in different directions in the oil-covered water 200 yards from a large burning oil patch, Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Collins jumped in, swam 100 yards to the men, and kept them together and composed until it was possible for the ship to be maneuvered close enough for rescue operations. Collins then helped them aboard and continued to assist with his repair Party until 30 more men had been picked up.