The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Hospital Corpsman Second Class Joseph M. Boyles, United States Navy, for heroism as the Search and Rescue Medical Technician on board a Navy Search and Rescue helicopter, while assigned to the Branch Medical Clinic, Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, California, on 20 August 1994. Petty Officer Boyles was called upon to rescue a mountain climber from an altitude of 12,700 feet who was suffering from serious head injuries. Selflessly placing himself in great personal danger, he rappelled 140 feet with a stokes litter to the injured climber. Incurring a violent spin on his descent, Petty Officer Boyles used his experience and determination to overcome the disorienting effects of the situation. With only minutes to execute the challenging rescue, he quickly packaged the climber on a very steep, loose rock ledge and then rode with the victim, suspended on the end of the rope, during a 12 mile transit to safety. Later that same day, the crew was again called on to rescue another hiker from 9,000 feet at Mount Whitney Portals. He again demonstrated his superb professional skills and stabilized the hiker for transport to a nearby hospital. Petty Officer Boyles’ courageous actions, professionalism, and exemplary devotion to duty in the face of personal risk reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.