The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Sergeant [then Corporal] Norman C. S. Pearson (MCSN: 300298), United States Marine Corps, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, on April 30, 1942. California. Sergeant Norman C. S. Pearson and Corporal Gordon Miller were present when a Marine Corps airplane crashed and burned near Santee, California Showing utter disregard for their own lives, these men rushed in and removed the gunner from the burning airplane.