The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Chief Machinist’s Mate Arthur T. McArdle, United States Navy, for heroic conduct at Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida, on 31 July 1943. When a plane crashed after take-off and burst into flames on the outer fringe of the airfield, Chief McArdle discovered an unexploded 100-pound bomb in a pool of blazing oil. He unhesitatingly removed the bomb and smothered it in a puddle of water and wet sand, then, although suffering from second-degree burns, labored at the scene until ordered to the dispensary.