The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Radioman Third Class Thomas Francis Burke (NSN: 6067443), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism while serving on board a small cargo vessel operating in the Solomon Islands area on 13 August 1943. On this date, Radioman Third Class Burke distinguished himself by going to the rescue of several injured and drowning men who had been wounded and blown overboard from the seriously damaged and burning U.S.S. JOHN PENN off Guadalcanal. Despite the fact that his own life was endangered by burning oil, exploding ammunition and falling debris, he dived overboard, swam to men struggling and wounded and one by one carried two of them to safety. He then assisted in rescuing others. His courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.