The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class James M. Irwin, United States Navy, for heroic conduct when a Japanese plane attacked his advanced seaplane base on Florida Island on 22 February 1943. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Irwin shielded himself with a wet mattress and courageously rescued an officer and two wounded men from flames and bursting shells. Although exploding small arms ammunition penetrated the mattress several times, he persevered until the injured had been carried to a place of safety.