The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chief Boatswain’s Mate Richard R. J. Jaillet, United States Navy, for heroic conduct during World War II. After climbing aboard a flaming re-arming boat and fighting the blaze until it was beyond control, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Jaillet dived overboard and saved a drowning seaman by giving him his life jacket. This occurred while he was attached to a warship engaged in salvaging a tanker in the Atlantic area. Chief Jaillet was finally picked up after swimming through gasoline-covered water, and, taking the stroke oar of the rescue boat, preserved morale of the crew when the re-arming boat exploded 40 yards away.