The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator First Class Leslie J. Johnson (NSN: 597956), United States Navy, for heroism while serving as a member of Air Antisubmarine Squadron THIRTY-EIGHT at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. On 17 October 1976, while traveling with friends from Gardena, California to San Diego, California in a caravan which had experienced difficulties and had pulled over into the safety lane, Petty Officer Johnson witnessed a car, traveling in the safety lane, crash into the rear of a station wagon where a young boy was sleeping. The station wagon immediately burst into flames. With complete disregard for his own safety and fully aware of the personal dangers involved, Petty Officer Johnson unhesitatingly rushed to the scene and, with the aid of a friend, pushed aside the boy’s mother, who was attempting to free her son from the burning vehicle., and pulled the trapped and unconscious boy from the wreckage only seconds before the automobile’s gas tank caught fire causing the entire vehicle to explode. Petty Officer Johnson’s courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk undoubtedly saved both the boy and his mother from certain death; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.