The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Electrician’s Mate Third Class Paul E. Ortego, United States Navy, for heroic conduct in rescuing two men from a blazing vehicle on U.S. Highway 395 in San Diego, California, on the early evening of 22 November 1961. The first to reach the scene of the accident in which an automobile collided with another, rolled over, and burst into flames, Aviation Electrician’s Mate Third Class Ortego, along with a companion, immediately rushed to the burning vehicle, loosened the seat belts of the two occupants, and succeeded in removing the victims to safety.