The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Frederick D. Goodwin, Jr., United States Navy, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy. On 14 January 1944, Lieutenant Bryant and Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Goodwin while attached to the Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Virginia, were on temporary additional duty ferrying aircraft to the west coast, and were at Municipal Airport No. 2, Tucson, Arizona. At about 1345, Ensign Paul nM. Smith, USNR, was attempting a take-off in F6F-3 airplane, BuNo. 41345, and apparently lost control of the aircraft and crashed into a TBF-1 being serviced on the line. Both aircraft burst into flames. Lieutenant Bryant and Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Goodwin, who were among the personnel nearby, rushed to the F6F-3, disregarded the danger to themselves, and at great personal risk, succeeded in pulling the dazed and semi-conscious Ensign Smith from the burning aircraft. The task of removing Ensign Smith from the burning aircraft was further complicated because the cockpit hatch was jammed in a half-open position. Lieutenant Bryant suffered first degree burns on one hand. A few seconds after Ensign Smith had been pulled clear of the flaming wreckage, the fuel tank of the wing on which Lieutenant Bryant and Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Goodwin had been standing exploded. It is believed that Lieutenant Bryant and Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Goodwin saved the life of Ensign Smith, and in so doing disregarded their own safety.