The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Hospitalman David R. Kelly, United States Navy, for heroic actions in assisting in the rescue of two passengers from a burning Air Force C-130 aircraft which had crashed off the runway into a lagoon during takeoff from Chu Lai Airfield, Republic of Vietnam, on 8 December 1965. The left wing of the aircraft had ripped loose and was burning violently against the left side of the fuselage. With billowing, wind-whipped flames from fuel floating on the water engulfing the cockpit and fuselage, Hospitalman Kelly waded into knee-deep water to assist in chopping an opening into the plane in an attempt to free two passengers who were trapped in the wreckage. Despite the imminent danger of further explosions, Hospitalman Kelly entered the burning plane and aided another man in removing one fatally injured passenger. He then worked his way through the fire and wreckage with another rescuer, found and freed the second trapped passenger, who was seriously injured, and helped carry the victim to safety. Through his prompt and courageous actions in the face of great personal risk, Hospitalman Kelly was directly instrumental in saving a life.