The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Aviation Radioman Third Class LeRoy T. Netterville, United States Navy, for heroic conduct near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 5 August 1943. Thrown clear by the crash of his plane, Aviation Radioman Third Class Netterville risked his life to return to the blazing plane and release the pilot who was blinded, trapped and with his clothes aflame. He extinguished the flames, removed the pilot to a place of safety, built a smudge as protection against mosquitoes and covered ten miles of difficult swampy terrain, including swimming a canal, in his search for aid. He succumbed 8 August from injuries and exposure.