The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chief Petty Officer Mathew R. Brown, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism in the outstanding manner in which he performed his duties under dangerous and trying conditions with complete disregard for his personal safety on the occasion of the serious fire on board the U.S.S. ERIE on 15 to 18 November 1942, at Curacao, N.W.I.