The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Shipfitter First Class John J. Burke, United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct as a salvage diver during the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. Shipfitter First Class Burke and his comrades carried on the salvage of sunk and damaged ships while the area was under enemy artillery and bombing attack. They dived under extremely hazardous conditions to conduct underwater surveys which materially contributed to rapid salvage and repair of units required for further operations against the enemy.