The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chief Gunner’s Mate Edward M. Ponikvar, United States Navy, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving aboard the light cruiser U.S.S. WORCESTER (CL-144), when the ship was engaged in destroying a floating mine with gun fire. When a 20-mm. cartridge case ripped open on the loading cycle and part of the propellant charge burst into flames upon contact with the hot gun, Chief Gunner’s Mate Ponikvar rushed to unload the magazine from the burning gun despite the imminent danger of explosion of remaining rounds in the magazine. Hit by fragments of shrapnel which were thrown out when the round in the gun cooked off, and bleeding from cuts above the eye and in the abdomen, he bravely remained on the scene to direct the fire fighters in extinguishing the fire.