The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Scott Burns, Jr. (NSN: 0-85550), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in rescuing four men from a stranded boat. While on patrol in the vicinity of Frence Frigate Shoals to deny use of that area to enemy submarines, the Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. THORNTON found it expedient to lie to, in full readiness, at anchor, from time to time to conserve fuel. To deny a submarine a surprise approach in one partially open sector a small boat patrol equipped with arms, flares and marker buoys was maintained. On the night of 2 June 1942, at about 2222, this boat became lost in the darkness caused by a sudden overcast, was caught by a large wave and tossed upon an isolated coral reef about 500 yards northwest of East Island. The weather was squally, night overcast and very dark but the usual trade wind sea and breakers were running so that no boat could approach the stranded boat closer than about 100 yards. The way in which the boat was tossed upon the reef without overturning was a freak of the sea. There was no appreciable damage to the boat and the four members of the crew, Elvis D. Brown, Shipfitter Second Class, USN, Edison L. Kinser, Fireman Second Class, USN, Wilmer E. Whitten, Seaman Second Class, USN, and David K. Sharpee, Seaman First Class, USN, remained in the stranded boat, uninjured. Sharpee could not swim. None of them could possibly get off without a line to a rescue boat anchored in good water. On reply to their flashing light signal, the Commanding Officer sent a rescue boat commanded by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Burns. At this time, 2222 on 2 June 1942 the wind was 12 knots from the Northeast, sea moderate with heavy swells upon the reefs, sky was overcast and equally extremely dark. If not for Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Burns’ fine action in personally running a life line to the stranded boat, with determination and despatch, in the opinion of the Commanding Officer, who was a close observer, it was probable that the men would have been washed off the reef during any sudden squall or unusual sea. Also, it was well known that the waters were shark-infested; several had been shot about the ship during this period. In the opinion of the Commanding Officer the timely and personally heroic actions of Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Burns quickly removed four men from brave danger and restored them to the United States Naval Service.