The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class John R. Benge (NSN: 3779520), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism in saving the life of a wounded man in a large aircraft carrier which had suffered a bomb hit on 19 March 1945, while operating against the enemy in the vicinity of Shikoku Island. After the bomb explosion, which ignited several planes on the hangar deck of his ship, he saw a member of the plane fueling crew lying on the hangar deck in a flaming pool of gasoline. He dragged the injured man from the flames, extinguished his burning clothing, and carried him to sick bay. He then returned to station and continued to treat the wounded until hospitalized himself for serious burns incurred in the rescue. His utter disregard for his own safety was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.