The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Seaman Robert A. Trautt, Jr., United States Navy, for heroic conduct on 2 December 1950 in attempting to save the lives of three small children who were trapped in a burning house in Charleston, South Carolina. Observing smoke coming from an upstairs window of a neighbor’s home, Seaman Trautt, upon learning that three children were alone on the second floor, immediately rushed to the rear door and tried to enter. Driven back by smoke and flames, he hurried to the front door, moved into the house on his hands and knees to lessen the effect of the smoke, and succeeded in groping his way through the house and up the stairs. Stumbling through two rooms, he finally located the victims. Picking up two children, one under each arm, he managed to make his way downstairs and outside where he quickly commenced to administer artificial respiration to one child until later relieved by firemen.