The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Lyle Frederick Sturdevant, United States Navy, for heroism while serving at Naval Station, Adak, Alaska, on 27 March 1973. Petty Officer Sturdevant was assigned to accompany a search party for a Navy man declared missing from Naval Station Adak. The missing man was located on the rocky coast to the east of the Naval Station just below a high cliff. The Chief Petty Officer in charge of the boat, with full cold weather scuba gear, entered the water and swam to the victim. When medical assistance was requested, an effort was made to land him on the shore but it had to be aborted thirty yards off shore due to the high seas and rough shoreline. Upon realizing that the boat could not make the landing, Petty Officer Sturdevant with complete disregard for his own safety entered the ice cold heavy seas, without benefit of protective clothing or survival equipment and swam to the scene. Petty Officer Sturdevant’s courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk undoubtedly were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.