The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Ordnanceman Third Class Donald Hugh Aitkenhead (NSN: 3169591), United States Navy, for heroism on the night of 20 – 21 June 1944, in throwing overboard from the flight deck of the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10) a high intensity parachute flare which had been accidentally dropped and ignited while being installed on an airplane. Sleeping near by, he was awakened by the glare and immediately rushed to the source of light. He first attempted to extinguish it by beating it with a bomb hoist. He then manned the first fog spray hose that was led out. When the flare rolled under a belly tank, which was full of gasoline, he kicked it clear. Noticing the arming wires at that point, he grasped them and hurled the flare still burning, over the side. His utter disregard of his own safety in this instance prevented a most serious fire, extinguished an extremely brilliant light that was illuminating the formation of ships, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.