The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Storekeeper Second Class Protacio B. Sapanza, United States Navy, for heroism on the night of 28 December 1963 while serving at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Glynco, Georgia. Upon learning of a serious fire in a nearby residence, Storekeeper Second Class Sapanza rushed to the scene, forced his way into the flame- and smoke-ridden structure through a bedroom window and succeeded in rescuing a father and child, the former having been overcome by smoke while attempting to effect a rescue. By his outstanding courage, promptness, and perseverance in the face of grave personal risk, Storekeeper Second Class Sapanza was directly instrumental in preventing any loss of life in the fire.