The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chief Motor Machinist’s Mate Oden V. Hayes, United States Navy, for heroic action when a large quantity of CO2 gas escaped in the after engine room of his ship on 20 July 1943. Machinist John T. Strauss, Chief Motor Machinist’s Mate Oden V. Hayes, and Electrician’s Mate First Class Charles L. Greenwood disregarded their personal safety and went below to investigate. Discovering two men who had become overcome by the fumes, they carried them to safety, even though they were nearly unconscious themselves.