The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class Floyd C. Birt, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving as Plane Captain and Flight Engineer of an R5D aircraft on a flight from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Detroit, Michigan, on 22 January 1957. Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class Birt sustained a broken leg and other injuries when his plane crashed and started to burn after making an instrument approach to the Willow Run Airport at Detroit, Michigan, during a heavy snowstorm. In spite of his own injuries, he released the safety belt and shoulder straps from the co-pilot, who was fatally injured, and aided in removing him from the burning plane. Despite the heavy smoke, intense heat, and the imminent danger of further fuel tank explosions, he twice returned to the wreckage and succeeded in removing two critically injured passengers and carried them to safety and out of danger from the exploding fuel tanks, heavy smoke and intense heat. His conduct, devotion to duty and disregard for his own injury and safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.