The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Chief Machinist’s Mate Hoyt Holbrook, United States Navy, for gallant and intrepid conduct at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, in rescuing the injured commander of a patrol plane which crashed and submerged on 12 January 1942. Aviation Chief Machinist’s Mate Holbrook was second pilot of the plane. Despite the fact that his own left arm was shattered at the elbow in the crash, he, with complete disregard for his own life, rescued the injured commander who was helplessly trapped in the submerged airplane.