The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Seaman Second Class Jennings R. Tiller (CGSN: 7013260), United States Coast Guard (Reserve), for daring initiative, outstanding fortitude and determined perseverance in the face of grave peril in rescuing a man from drowning when his ship, the U.S.S. JACKSON, capsized and sank during a hurricane off Cape Hatters on 14 September 1944. Observing a shipmate being tossed in the torrential seas and unable to swim after being swept overboard when his life preserver was torn from his grasp during abandon-ship operations, Seaman Second Class Tiller fearlessly risked his life to attempt a rescue. Fighting his way to the side of the drowning man, he struggled desperately to support his burden and swam with him through the stormy, mountainous seas to a life raft some distance from the scene of the disaster. As a result of his self sacrificing efforts on behalf of another, Seaman Second Class Tiller, weakened from shock, exhaustion and exposure, succumbed the following day. He gallantly gave his life for another.