The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant, Junior Grade H. E. Hiestand, United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct when the LST 348 was set afire and sunk by enemy action off the island of DeZammone, Italy, on 20 February 1944. Thrown into the water by a second explosion, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hiestand went to the assistance of an injured crew member who was in danger of drowning. Although badly burned himself, he assisted the man to stay afloat until long after he had died of burns and exposure.