The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Ensign Curtis A. Hinton, United States Navy, for heroic conduct on 3 November 1963 while serving as Boiler Officer on board U.S.S. SPRINGFIELD (CLG-7). During a fire room casualty caused by the loss of feed booster pressure in which the number four main feed pump over-sped dangerously, Ensign Hinton immediately ordered the evacuation of the fire room and then personally secured the steam supply to the pump before leaving the space. Although burned and nearly overcome by the escaping steam when the turbine disintegrated, he returned to the steam-filled fire room to ensure that all his men had left. Through his outstanding leadership, courage, and prompt actions, Ensign Hinton was directly responsible for avoiding serious personnel and material casualties.