The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Cryptologic Technician Third Class Robert G. Harris, United States Navy, for heroic conduct on 26 November 1960 while serving with the U.S. Naval Security Group Detachment, Taiwan Defense Command. Upon discovering a fire in the hostel where he was billeted with approximately 40 others, Cryptologic Technician Third Class Harris, along with another serviceman, immediately began to awaken the other occupants by kicking on the cubicle doors and shouting a warning. Although he left the blazing and smoke filled building after alerting the others, he re-entered shortly and, in the face of blinding smoke and intense heat, checked each bed to make certain that no one remained in the building. Only after the roof of the building began to fall did he leave. By his prompt and courageous actions in an emergency, Cryptologic Technician Third Class Harris was directly instrumental in preventing any injury or loss of life in a fire which completely destroyed the hostel. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.