The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Seaman First Class Walter L. Stacy, United States Navy, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving on board the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), on 8 May 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea. Seaman First Class Stacy labored tirelessly to extinguish and prevent the spread of fires in an area frequented by violent explosions and to assist in the rescue of many men who had been trapped below deck.