The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class Clifton Taylor Brawner (NSN: 6165317), United States Navy, for heroism in rescuing two shipmates of a Patrol Seaplane which crashed in the seadrome area in utter darkness on 22 November 1944, near the Naval Air Station, Alameda, California. In spite of his suffering from severe gas burns, fatigue and exposure, he swam some distance to the aid of one of his shipmates who was stunned and in a helpless condition as a result of the crash, and brought him safely to rest on a wing float which was torn from the plane. Without this aid, the rescued man would undoubtedly have drowned. Later, when another exhausted shipmate had lost his hold on the float and drifted away, he swam to this man’s assistance and brought him back to safety. Thereafter, he continued with indomitable tenacity to assist individual shipmates as each required aid, until he, himself, became utterly exhausted and died as a result of exposure and asphyxiating gas fumes. His courage and disregard for his own safety were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.