The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Chief Ordnanceman John Z. Espe, United States Navy, for heroic conduct while unloading bombs from an airplane on 1 July 1943, and his boat was set afire by an incendiary bomb dropped from the rack. Aviation Chief Ordnanceman Espe risked the danger of further fires and explosions to throw the remaining bombs overboard and dispose of detonators already dangerously hot. His prompt and brave action prevented probable injury to personnel.