The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Julian J. Walilko, United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct when the Destroyer in which he was serving during the invasion of Sicily in July 1943, was rammed and a boiler explosion was imminent. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Walilko made repeated trips to the flooded fireroom and skillfully assisted in plugging a hole in the bulkhead which made it possible to bring the flooding under control. His prompt action materially aided in saving the ship.