The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Private First Class Robert L. Bauer (MCSN: 1686693), United States Marine Corps, for heroic conduct in saving the life of a pilot of a civilian aircraft that crashed in the vicinity of the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, on 21 March 1959. While driving his automobile from the city of Oceanside, California, to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, he noted a civilian aircraft in obvious difficulty. He speeded up his vehicle and followed the flight of the aircraft, observing it to crash and burst into flames, near the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. He drove his car off the highway to the scene of the crash. In spite of the intense blaze and the danger of exploding gasoline, he and his companions dashed to the wreckage and removed the civilian pilot to safety. Upon learning that there was a passenger in the plane, he and his companions returned to the blazing wreckage to search for the passenger whom they found burned beyond recognition. His heroic action and presence of mind was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.