The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Mead B. Kibbey, United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct when the minesweeper in which he was serving was sunk off the coast of France on 2 July 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Kibbey swam clear of the sinking ship, then returned to save an enlisted man who was unable to move because of a back injury. Later he returned to save the life of a brother officer who was about to sink as the result of swallowing quantities of oil and sea water.