The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Rufus C. Harper, United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct when a Navy torpedo plane crashed and burst into flames at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Boca Chica, Florida, on 6 May 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Harper entered the smoke-filled, blazing plane and handed out a helpless radioman. He then re-entered the burning craft in an effort to locate another occupant whom he believed to be still in the plane.