The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Corporal Severyn J. Barley, Jr. (MCSN: 424534), United States Marine Corps, for heroic conduct while serving with Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-212), in attempting to rescue a pilot who had crashed while taking off from an airfield in the Philippines on the morning of 24 January 1945. When the plane crashed in his squadron’s shop and revetment area, Corporal Barley, together with several other Marines, rushed to the scene of the overturned airplane, and, despite the imminent threat of explosion from high octane gas which covered the immediate area, unhesitatingly risked his life to extricate the pilot. While this rescue operation was in process the plane exploded and began to burn fiercely and set off the aircraft’s fully loaded ammunition plans. Corporal Barley’s gallant and courageous action on behalf of a comrade at grave personal risk was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.