The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chief Watertender William W. Ford, Jr., United States Navy, for heroic conduct when enemy shells caused fires in dangerous proximity to the portable gasoline stowage of his ship during the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. Chief Watertender Ford extricated for quick disposal overboard, several gasoline drums which were jammed in their racks. He then assisted in segregating ruptured sections of the fire main, enabling the fires to be brought under control.