The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Seaman First Class Ephriam B. Middleton, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct when large waves from a passing tug swept his fishing companion from a jetty and into the swift current at Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, on 3 May 1944. Seaman First Class Middleton removed his outer clothing, swam to the aid of the exhausted man and succeeded in bringing him to the beach.