The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant Franklin V. Bernhard, United States Navy, for heroic conduct on 15 September 1942. Despite explosions, oil fires and falling debris, Lieutenant Bernhard operated a motor whaleboat during rescue work alongside the U.S.S. WASP (CV-7) and assisted in cutting loose and saving men entangled in the lines while abandoning ship.