The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chief Machinist William J. Kubran, United States Navy, for heroic conduct when a Marine plane crashed on the runway at the Naval Air Station, Miami, Florida, on 30 June 1943. Lieutenant Clifford Philip, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Leslie O. Swanson, and Chief machinist William J. Kubran rushed to extricate the pilot who was suspended, head down, and helpless. In spite of the fierce blaze and imminence of a gasoline explosion, they released the trapped man from his shoulder straps and safety belt and lifted him from the wrecked plane.