The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant (ChC) Bernard R. Boylan (NSN: 0-262652), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism involving casualties from a burning vessel in Finschhafen Harbor on 23 August 1944. While the S.S. JOHN C. CALHOUN, loaded with gasoline, was in flames following an explosion in the hold, Chaplain Boylan, with complete disregard for his personal safety, leaped form an adjoining vessel, aided in removing injured men to safety, searched the debris for other casualties, and refused to leave the ship until no further help was needed, despite warnings of possible additional explosions. His spontaneous and heroic action clearly above normal expectations was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Chaplain Corps and of the United States Naval Service.