The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Coxswain Alex Afton (NSN: 8266450), United States Navy, for heroism in extinguished a gasoline fire aboard U.S.S. LCT-325 at Torokina Harbor, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 18 June 1945. When a gasoline drum being loaded aboard his ship from a liberty ship burst and the spreading gasoline caught fire endangering both ships, he calmly and coolly secured the ship’s generators and proceeded to extinguish the flames. His prompt action in preventing the spread of the fire to other gasoline drums saved the lives of members of the crews of both the LCT-325 and the merchant ship. His initiative, courage and disregard for personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.