The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Seaman First Class John E. Simmons, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct when one of the troop-laden boats of LST 374 was carried away from the davits as it was being lowered during landing operations off Sicily, 15 August 1943. Seaman First Class Simmons swam to aid soldiers who had been plunged into the sea and were trying to remove their heavy packs Seaman First Class Simmons continued his tireless efforts until all the imperiled soldiers were rescued.