The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Fireman Thomas H. Leonard, Jr., United States Navy, for heroic conduct in rescuing a soldier from drowning at Paumalu Beach, Oahu, Hawaii, on the afternoon of 24 October 1959. Upon learning that a fellow serviceman was floundering in extremely rough waters, Fireman Leonard, with the aid of a surfboard, paddled a distance of approximately 525 yards to the side of the struggling victim. After getting him on the board, Fireman Leonard managed to maneuver it through the strong currents and huge waves to a point near the beach where they were assisted by firemen who hauled them ashore.