The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Ensign John J. Fahsl, United States Navy, for heroism in rescuing a three-year-old boy from a fire in an Aurora, Colorado, home on the afternoon of 16 December 1965. Observing heavy smoke billowing from the windows of a neighborhood dwelling, Ensign Fahsl rushed to the scene and was informed that a small child was still in the burning building. Unsuccessful in his attempts to gain entrance through the rear basement door because of heavy smoke and flames, Ensign Fahsl dashed to the front of the house, jumped through a broken window, and crawled through the smoke- and flame-filled basement until he succeeded in locating the child. Ensign Fahsl brought the boy back to the broken window and handed him to a policeman on the outside. By his prompt and courageous actions in risking his own life to save another, Ensign Fahsl upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.