The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Private First Class Donald J. James, United States Marine Corps, for heroism in rescuing a fellow Marine from drowning at Isthmus Bay, Kodiak, Alaska, during Operation COOL DIP on 23 October 1957. When the LVT in which members of his company were being transported from ship to shore went aground on a reef and floundered, forcing abandonment due to the pounding surf, Private First Class James upon reaching safety on the reef, observed a Marine without a life jacket floundering about 150 yards from the reef and being carried out to deeper waters by the current. Despite the icy and turbulent waters, Private First Class James left his place of safety and managed to swim to the side of the nearly exhausted victim. Assisting the reef, he succeeded in holding and supporting him while towering waves lashed them both for almost 40 minutes, until they were rescued by other Marine personnel. By his prompt and courageous action in risking his own life to save that of another, Private First Class James upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.