The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Robert Jay Montgomery, United States Navy, for heroic conduct during the assault on Sicily, 10 July 1943. Bringing his own craft to safety to the beach during the assault on Sicily, Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Montgomery and four comrades observed several soldiers floundering helplessly in the water after their landing boat had capsized. Making repeated trips, they brought survivors to shore and skillfully administered artificial respiration. Their courage undoubtedly helped save the lives of many men who might have perished.