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General Orders: Commander Air Atlantic: Serial 05/14242 (August 10, 1943)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Boilerman Second Class Lynus Arthur Babel (NSN: 2746686), United States Navy, for heroism while serving in U.S.S. Bennington (CVA-20), on 27 April 1953 as Petty Officer in Charge of the Watch of Number One Fire Room. Boilerman Second Class Babel displayed exceptionally fine judgment, determination and efficiency above and beyond that normally expected during a major material casualty to the Number Two Boiler. The U.S.S. Bennington, while operating off the coast of Guantanamo, Cuba, on 27 April 1953, sustained a major boiler casualty in the Number One Fire Room which resulted in his duty station becoming completely filled with steam. He, as the sole survivor of the Fire Room, displayed unusually fine judgment, and outstanding determination and efficiency under adverse conditions by attempting to re-enter the damaged fire room through the escape trunk, but when unable to do so because of the extreme heat, proceeded immediately to and secured the remote control steam valves, thus isolating Number One Boiler. His perseverance and devotion to duty at this critical time, and his complete disregard for personal safety, was totally responsible for preventing and reducing personnel casualties and serious material damage to the engineering plant of his ship. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Sergeant Jack E. Bailey (MCSN: 823987), United States Marine Corps, for heroic achievement in the line of duty while not in actual combat with the enemy on 4 December 1951, while serving with the 1st Infantry Training Regiment, Camp Joseph H. Pendleton, Oceanside, California. A trainee operating a flame thrower was encountered with a malfunction of the weapon during a demonstration. When the trigger was released the flame thrower continued to fire. The trainee became panicky and dropped the gun group thereby engulfing the lower extremities of his body in flame. Even though the immediate area was burning from napalm, Sergeant Bailey, without regard to his personal safety seized the gun group and held the flame away from other personnel in the vicinity. Although his own hands were covered by burning napalm he prevented injury to other personnel and enabled others to reach the injured man, extinguish the fire of his clothes and administer first aid. By his courageous and timely action, Sergeant Bailey prevented the injuries of the man from becoming fatal. His heroic conduct in the face of great danger to himself and others was outstanding and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commanding General, 1st Marine Division: Serial 1919 (January 17, 1953)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Sergeant [then Corporal] Charles Baldridge (MCSN: 596628), United States Marine Corps, for heroism in saving a man from possible death by fire in Korea on 2 December 1952. While serving with the FIRST Marine Division fire fighting team, Sergeant Baldridge displayed outstanding courage and devotion to his fellow man. Although he had suffered an injury on one hand while fighting a gasoline fire earlier in the day, he volunteered to accompany the team to fight another gasoline fire that night. Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that an immersion type heater was aflame and ready to explode. In spite of the impending danger, he went forward in an attempt to extinguish the blaze. At that moment, the heater exploded, showering the men with flaming gasoline. Seeing that one of his comrades' hair and clothing were burning he threw him to the ground and beat out the fire with his bare hands. When the man's burning clothing were extinguished, he set about to see to the safety of the officer and men of the team, refusing medical attention for his own injuries until he was assured that all of the men were treated. As a result of his courageous action and complete disregard for his personal comfort and safety, he was severely burned on his hands, face and neck and had to be evacuated to a hospital ship. Sergeant Baldridge's heroic conduct, in the face of great danger to himself, was exceptional and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: All Hands (November 1953)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Staff Sergeant Barbara O. Barnwell (MCSN: W-700005), United States Marine Corps, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, on June 7, 1952, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Sergeant Barnwell, while swimming 100 to 150 yards offshore, heard cries for help from a male enlisted Marine who was struggling in the heavy surf fifty feet from her. Without a thought for her own safety, Sergeant Barnwell quickly swam to the near-hysterical man and managed to secure a hold on him despite the fact that he fought and scratched her and pulled her underwater several times. Although both their lives were endangered by the man's struggling and the severe undertow, Sergeant Barnwell courageously swam with the man in tow to shallow water where she was met by a lifeguard. Between the two of them the man was brought to the beach where artificial respiration was administered to the unconscious man. Sergeant Barnwell modestly left the scene without learning the identity of the man she had rescued. Her heroic conduct in the face of great danger to herself was outstanding, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Heroes, U.S. Marine Corps 1861 - 1955 (Jane Blakeney)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Corporal Charles P. Barrett, Jr. (MCSN: 1085097), United States Marine Corps, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving as an operator of a gasoline fuel truck attacked to a Marine All-Weather Fighter Squadron at Bradshaw Air Force Base, Pusan, Korea, on 13 May 1951. Corporal Barrett, while performing his duties as the operator of a gasoline truck refueling aircraft on the aircraft flight line, was informed that the truck was on fire as he dismounted from the truck to assist in refueling one of the aircraft parked on the flight line. Corporal Barrett, aware that the aircraft parked on the flight line were combat loaded and that the burning cargo of gasoline in the truck might explode at any time, immediately boarded the truck, which was all aflame in the rear, and drove the truck down the taxiway, and clear of all aircraft, before leaving the cab of the flaming truck to seek his own safety. The cargo of gasoline in the truck subsequently exploded destroying the truck without injury to any personnel or damage to aircraft. His prompt action and complete disregard for personal safety prevented the destruction by fire of the combat loaded aircraft on the flight line with the resultant danger to personnel in the area. His initiative and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Ensign Clifford R. Behnken (NSN: 0-533328), United States Navy, for the execution of acts above and beyond the call of duty and the clear display of extreme bravery in the saving of a human life while serving with Patrol Squadron Ten (VP-10), at Crete. At 2200 on 3 October 1953, after the failure of the port engine, his plane had to be ditched which left the aircraft broken and mangled aft of the cockpit. The radio compartment was crushed from the deck upward pinning the radioman, Aviation Electronicsman Third Class Ronald J. Roden, in between the radio racks and the overhead. Ensign Behnken and Radarman Spoonheim of their own volition worked together and went back into the plane through the navigator's escape hatch, crawling through cramped space with gasoline polluted water up to their chests, and knowing that usually a ditched plane of this type doesn't float long, usually about five minutes. After many attempts Roden was freed of the wreckage.
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert E. Berger (NSN: 0-374578), United States Navy, for heroism in the face of great danger. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Berger, attached to Composite Squadron Four (VC-4), Detachment SIX, embarked in U.S.S. Coral Sea (CVA-43) on 17 June 1953, maneuvered his aircraft after it failed to engage the carrier arresting gear to avoid a group of about thirty men and four aircraft which were in his flight path. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Berger successfully avoided these personnel and crashed instead into two aircraft parked in the bow. All three aircraft were carried over the bow and his body was not recovered. His reactions in this emergency and his selflessness in the face of danger to his shipmates constitute performance of duty above normal expectations and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Private First Class Norman L. Bernier (MCSN: 1248549), United States Marine Corps, for heroism in rescuing a man from drowning at Hampton Roads, Virginia, on 30 December 1952. The U.S.S. New Jersey (BB-62) on which Private First Class Bernier was embarked as a crew member was at anchor. A man outfitted in a complete set of foul weather clothing attempting to man his boat which was tied up to a boom off the starboard quarter, lost his grip, fell into the water and was suddenly caught in a strong current and carried away from the ship. Realizing that the swift current and water soaked foul weather clothing would not permit him to save himself, the man called for help. During the hours of darkness and under conditions of great danger to himself, Private First Class Bernier jumped to the roof of a barge alongside the U.S.S. New Jersey and at the risk of his own life, voluntarily dove into the cold, dark water to go to the man's rescue. Being unable to see the man because of the darkness, he swam in the direction of the cries for help and when about five hundred yards from the ship he reached the drowning man and held him afloat. The man lost consciousness almost immediately upon his arrival but Private First Class Bernier held him above water for about fifteen minutes until a small boat had searched them out in the darkness and both men were taken aboard. His heroic conduct and absolute disregard for personal safety in the face of great danger to himself was outstanding and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander Naval Forces Philippines: Serial 3799 (June 25, 1951)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Seaman Apprentice Raymond B. Berry (NSN: 3517359), United States Navy, for heroic conduct, while attached to Naval Station Sangley Point as a member of the crash boat crew, in assisting in the rescue of thirteen survivors from a fiercely burning Mariner aircraft which had crashed in the seadrome of the United States Naval Station at Sangley Point in the Republic of the Philippines on 14 June 1951. Arriving at the scene of the disaster only seconds after the plane had crashed in a nose-down attitude, overturned and commenced burning, Seaman Apprentice Berry, despite the fact that the aircraft and gasoline in the surrounding water were burning furiously, and knowing full well the personal peril to which he was subjecting himself, aided in the rescue effort by assisting survivors from the stricken plane and surrounding water into the crash boat. The rescue effort was continued until all visible passengers and crewmen had been removed from the wreckage. The coolness and courage displayed by Seaman Apprentice Berry on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Sergeant Richard B. Bettis (MCSN: 608342), United States Marine Corps, for heroism in preventing the loss of life and property on 18 July 1951 at Pohang, Korea. A thirty-two hundred gallon fuel truck burst into flame while re-fueling transient aircraft. Sergeant Bettis observed the immediate danger to personnel and aircraft in the area. Risking imminent explosion of the vehicle, and with flames reaching the interior of the cab, Sergeant Bettis manned the driver's seat and drove the flaming vehicle a distance of one hundred fifty yards, safely clear of the parked aircraft, where increasingly intense heat forced him to abandon the cab. His heroic conduct in the face of great danger to himself was outstanding and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commanding General, 1st Marine Division: Serial 31436 (October 19, 1952)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Private First Class Ronald G. Biles (MCSN: 1224051), United States Marine Corps, for heroism in saving fourteen men from possible death by explosives in Korea on 21 August 1952. Private First Class Biles was assisting in preparing six tons of defective explosives for detonation. Working in a crater twenty feet deep, he saw that a dud white phosphorus shell which had been placed about three feet from the stack had suddenly ignited. He unhesitatingly dashed to the burning round, which was emitting smoke and flames, grabbed it and carried it to a water filled crater and immersed it. If left to burn the round would have detonated all the high explosives near it, and caused serious injury to the personnel working nearby. His heroic conduct in the face of great danger to himself was outstanding, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commanding General 1st Marine Aircraft Wing: Serial: 9064 (July 15, 1953)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Sergeant Conrad E. Bjorkman, Jr. (MCSN: 599390), United States Marine Corps, for heroism in rescuing a pilot from a burning aircraft at Pohang, Korea, on 30 July 1951. The pilot of an F-4U, loaded with a one thousand pound bomb, one belly tank of gasoline and machine gun ammunition, crashed on take-off due to extremely adverse wind conditions. The aircraft left the runway after a 2,500 foot run, crashing through a napalm dump, cartwheeling and ending in flames. The pilot, with his clothing afire, was seen on his hands and knees beside the aircraft. Under conditions of personal danger to himself and with complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Bjorkman ran to the pilot's assistance. Sergeant Bjorkman immediately smothered the flames which were burning the pilot's clothing and removed the remainder of his attire. Despite the hazard of flaming gasoline, exploding ammunition and the fact that a one thousand pound bomb lay in the burning wreckage, he carried the injured pilot to safety. His heroic conduct in the face of grave personal danger was outstanding and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Board Serial 813 (September 3, 1953)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Second Lieutenant Robert L. Blalack (MCSN: 0-55404), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in the rescue of an injured, unconscious pilot from a flaming aircraft, and helping to prevent a major disaster at a forward Korean airfield on 18 September 1952. While serving with a Marine Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Second Lieutenant Blalack witnessed a heavily armed fighter-bomber crass on take-off, striking two other armed aircraft parked nearby. He immediately rushed to the scene of the flaming wreckage, despite the great risk to his own life from the possible explosion of five bombs, eight hundred rounds of ammunition and high octane gasoline. With the aid of a fellow Marine, Second Lieutenant Blalack worked quickly but calmly to successfully remove the injured, unconscious pilot from the tangled cockpit, then returned to help control and extinguish the fire. His actions, in the face of great danger, saved the life of the pilot and helped to prevent what might have otherwise been a major disaster in the combat area. Second Lieutenant Blalack's courageous conduct, outstanding initiative and steadfast devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Gunner's Third Class Robert E. Bolinger (NSN: 3670627), United States Navy, for heroic service while attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. Ozbourn (DD-846) during the operations of that ship with Task Force Seventy-Seven against the enemy in the Korean area on 6 August 1952. On that date a serious fire on the U.S.S. Boxer (CV-21) forced many men to jump over the side to save their lives. During rescue of other men in the water by the Ozbourn, Gunner's Mate Third Class Bolinger noted that G. A. Smole, USN, unable to swim, was weakly supporting himself by clinging to a floating object in serious danger of losing his grip and drowning. Gunner's Mate Third Class Bolinger, at considerable personal risk, disregarding his own safety, unhesitatingly dove into the sea and rescued the exhausted man. His courageous conduct and steadfast devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: CO, U.S.S. Glennon: Serial 199 (May 28, 1951)
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Damage Controlman Third Class James Joseph Bowen (NSN: 4167317), United States Navy, for heroism on 24 May 1951 when, as a passenger in a motor launch which foundered and sank in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, he distributed life jackets to men in the launch and assisted them in disembarking from the swamped launch thereby contributing materially at the risk of his own life to the saving of others. He gave his own life jacket to a shipmate who could not swim, and, exhausted from his efforts to rescue other men, lost his own life by drowning.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chief Boatswain's Mate Mallie W. Bransom, United States Navy, for heroism above and beyond the call of duty while a member of the rescue party attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. Purdy (DD-734) at sea in the Western Atlantic during Hurricane How on 3 October 1951. When his ship, the U.S.S. Purdy in her efforts to rescue Seaman James A. Reagan, USN, who had been washed overboard from the U.S.S. Bristol (DD-857) was unable to place herself close alongside the helpless man in the water, Chief Bransom, with complete disregard for his own safety, dived into the sea and swam to his rescue. Upon reaching him, he held him fast, while line tenders on board the Purdy pulled him back to the ship. The hurricane conditions existing, with rain and wind of force in excess of 55 knots, had created mountainous seas which caught the ship in their trough causing her to roll heavily, with great seas of solid water breaking over her decks. In the face of great danger under conditions made extremely hazardous by the ship's heavy rolling, which alternately exposed the propeller and placed the main deck under water, the rescue party succeeded in bringing Chief Bransom and Seaman Regan to the side of the ship on a rising wave. This wave and ensuing waves threw the two men against the side of the ship with such violence that both sustained multiple injuries. By his selfless act Chief Ransom saved Seaman Regan's life, and demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership and military character. His heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commanding General 1st Marine Aircraft Wing: Serial: 635-51 (November 6, 1951)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Private First Class Felix Brillante, Jr. (MCSN: 1059779), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism in fighting a fire resulting from an aircraft crash, thereby insuring the rescue of the pilot at an advanced air base near Pusan, Korea, on 25 May 1951. An F4U-4B blew a tire on takeoff, swerved to the left, and flipped upside down upon leaving the runway, pinning the pilot within the cockpit. Gasoline, spilling from an external drop tank, ignited upon contact with the hot engine, causing imminent danger of explosion of fuel, napalm bomb, fragmentation bombs and 20-mm. ammunition. Private First Class Brillante witnessed the crash and, with a 51-pound fire extinguisher, ran approximately 150 yards to the scene, being one of the first to arrive. Realizing the great danger to himself, Private First Class Brillante unhesitatingly approached the fire and skillfully and effectively prevented it from spreading until the pilot had been safely extracted. Had the fire been allowed to spread it might have been impossible to save the pilot, not to mention possible additional casualties and destruction upon explosion of the ordnance load. His heroic conduct in the face of great danger to himself was outstanding, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Private First Class Gerald H. Britton (MCSN: 1162144), United States Marine Corps, for heroism in rescuing a boy and woman from drowning in the White Oak River at Swansboro, North Carolina, on 26 May 1951. Private First Class Britton was standing beside the bridge leading into the town of Swansboro, when he noticed a civilian calling for help to aid a woman who was struggling in her attempt to rescue a boy from drowning. Under conditions of great danger to himself, Private First Class Britton voluntarily dived into the water to go to the woman's and boy's assistance. Making his way to the couple, he found the woman unconscious. He held her above water, told the boy to cling to his back, and in this manner he managed to tow the couple back to the shore. His heroic conduct in the face of great danger to himself was outstanding and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Board Serial 259 (March 31, 1952)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Motor Machinist's Mate Third Class Charles F. Brown (NSN: 2477289)United States Naval Reserve, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy. On 22 January 1952, the U.S.S. Holder (DDE-819) was moored port side to the Jetee Nords, Oran, Algeria. A sea wall was located approximately twenty-five yards from the Holder's port side. By 1200 of 22 January, the weather in the outer harbor had become exceedingly rough, and waves were breaking over the sea wall continuously. The force of these waves beating upon an abandoned jeep on the pier, washed it over the side of the pier. Shortly thereafter a one-quarter ton truck, which had stalled on the pier, had its top smashed in, and it, too, was hurled over the side of the pier. At approximately 1230, one of the waves washed a man over the side of the pier, where he was handling lines, securing the bow of the U.S.S. New (DDE-818), a destroyer moored approximately fifty feet astern of the Holder. This man was later identified as Seaman William Ackerberg, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. New (DDE-818). Motor Machinist's Mate Third Class Brown was on the fantail of the Holder at the time, and saw the man in the water about twenty feet from the stern of the Holder. At this time the waves breaking over the sea wall made it extremely dangerous for personnel on the main deck, and several destroyers parted lines because of the incessant pounding of the waves. The man in the water was stunned, and his improperly secured life jacket had started to come off. Motor Machinist's Mate Third Class Brown, without hesitation, dove over the side and swam to Seaman Ackerberg. After Motor Machinist's Mate Third Class Brown had fought his way back to the stern of the ship with the shocked and helpless man, life rings were thrown to him. When they reached the screw guards, a line was thrown over the side. Motor Machinist's Mate Third Class Brown secured the line to the man he had rescued, who was then hauled aboard by the personnel on the fantail. After Motor Machinist's Mate Third Class Brown was brought aboard, he was taken to the sick bay and treated for exposure. The condition of the sea was such that shortly thereafter all lines aft parted, and the Holder was forced to put out to sea.
General Orders: Board Serial 161 (February 15, 1951)
Action Date: September 25, 1950
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Private First Class Norman L. Bruno (MCSN: 1098659), United States Marine Corps, for heroism in removing fuses from certain explosives following the crash of an aircraft at Kimpo Airfield, Korea, on 25 September 1950, thereby rendering the area safe for all personnel. Following the crash of a fully loaded F4U-5, Private First Class Bruno, as part of an ordnance detail, proceeded to remove the fuses from all rockets and bombs despite the fact that the rockets had been immersed in burning napalm for a considerable period of time. His heroic conduct in the face of great danger to himself was outstanding, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: All Hands (June 1952)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Boatswain's Mate Third Class Clyde A. Bryant (NSN: 3385426), United States Navy, for heroism while serving as a member of the aircraft crash crew at U.S. Naval Station, Kodiak, Alaska, in rescuing naval personnel from a crashed and burning P2V-4 aircraft on 15 June 1951. Aviation Boatswain's Mate Third Class Bryant, though fully aware of the great danger of exploding gasoline, ammunition, and depth charges, crawled upon the wing of the burning aircraft, climbed partially into the plane and dragged two unconscious men to safety. His initiative and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: All Hands (February 1952)
Damage Controlman Joseph B. Bull, United States Navy, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in assisting in the rescue of a downed pilot in danger of drowning off the coast of Korea, on 5 December 1950.
General Orders: Heroes, U.S. Marine Corps 1861 - 1955 (Jane Blakeney)
Donald N. Bush (MCSN: 432619), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, on September 19, 1951, at Korea.
Butler, Robert C.
General Orders: All Hands (March 1952)
Hospital Corpsman Third Class Robert C. Butler, United States Navy, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy. Hospital Corpsman Third Class Butler assisted in the evacuation of casualties when a mortar shell landed short and exploded during a training problem involving live firing at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on 20 June 1951.