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 Hoke Smith, United States Navy, for heroic conduct in braving a strong current at the mouth of the river at Savannah Beach on 16 August 1943. Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Smith swam through heavy surf and rescued one of two boys caught in the swirling currents. He was forced to release the second child in order to swim back to shore. Once there he administered artificial respiration to the surviving boy.