The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant (MC) John P. Kasheta, Jr., United States Navy, for heroic conduct on 29 may 1961 while serving with the U.S. Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Whiting Field, Milton, Florida. Arriving in a helicopter at the scene of a crashed and burning aircraft in a wooded area in the vicinity of Brewton, Alabama, Lieutenant Kasheta was lowered to the crash scene by rescue sling and, observing one of the pilots with his clothing on fire and in an unconscious condition, immediately ran into an area of burning gasoline to aid the victim. After beating out the flames which were consuming the pilot’s clothing, he carried him for approximately 250 yards to the hovering helicopter, and placed him in the litter for removal to the nearest medical facility. By his prompt and decisive actions, Lieutenant Kasheta was instrumental in prolonging the life of the critically burned airman.