The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Senior Chief Motor Machinist’s Mate John F. Rutledge, United States Navy, for heroic conduct on 19 December 1960 while serving on board U.S.S. REMEY (DD-688). As Chief Petty Officer in charge of a rescue and assistance detail, which was sent by REMEY to aid in fighting a fire on board U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64) at Pier J, New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York, Senior Chief Rutledge boarded the burning ship at the hangar deck, where the fire had originated and was burning most fiercely, and directed the efforts of his unit in the dense smoke and extreme heat until relieved about two hours later by members of the New York City Fire Department. After the initial effort, and in spite of exhaustion, freezing temperatures and wet clothing, Senior Chief Rutledge remained at the scene for four more hours to direct his rescue teams and to assist in removing the dead and injured from the burning carrier.