The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Machinist First Class Kenneth F. Tinsley, United States Navy, for heroic conduct and endurance during the re-floating of a U.S. Warship. Chief Shipfitter Jack F. Martin and Machinist First Class Kenneth F. Tinsley, despite gales, sub-freezing temperatures, snow and the threat of air attack, made repeated underwater dives, when other divers were unable to stand the extreme cold. In one day the two men remained submerged for periods totaling nine hours in a water temperature of thirty-six degrees.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Machinist First Class Kenneth F. Tinsley, United States Navy, for meritorious conduct and outstanding performance of duty while voluntarily engaged in diving operations incident to the salvage of vessels damaged by enemy action at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. During the extraordinarily hazardous conditions inside submerged vessels totaling well over 100 hours of successful under water work, his individual efforts contributed in a large measure to the success of the diving phase of these operations and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.