The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Aviation Machinist’s Mate Third Class John D. Brightwell, United States Navy, for heroic conduct on 1 November 1960 while serving with Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT, Ellyson Field, Pensacola, Florida. While on liberty in Pensacola, Aviation Machinist’s Mate Third Class Brightwell rushed to the assistance of a woman who was being attacked by a man armed with a pistol. Fatally wounded while grappling with the woman’s assailant in the darkness, Aviation Machinist’s Mate Third Class Brightwell, in sacrificing his own life to protect the life of another, displayed both courage and selflessness.