The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Seaman First Class Gilbert F. Buis (NSN: 8639806), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism while serving with the crew of a crash boat at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville, British Solomon Islands, in the rescue of a pilot forced down in enemy territory, on 20 December 1943. The pilot landed on the beach near strongly held enemy positions. Seaman First Class Buis volunteered and ably assisted his commanding officer in the rescue mission deemed by higher authorities too dangerous for the men to attempt. The rescue boat was ordered to join a gun boat and tank lighters carrying Marines. Upon hearing over the radio of the dangerous predicament of the pilot who had taken to a rubber raft, the crash boat immediately left its escort and proceeded alone in the face of enemy guns to the scene of the rescue. Through his cool and courageous actions he contributed materially to the extrication of a distressed comrade form a perilous position. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.