The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Machinist’s Mate Third Class Richard A. Wolverton, United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct during launching operations aboard the U.S.S. WASP (CV-7) on 17 August 1942. When a scout land plane crashed off the bow of the carrier, Aviation Machinist’s Mate Third Class Wolverton, with cool courage and alert presence of mind, unhesitatingly jumped from the hangar deck into the sea and, with the aid of life preservers tossed down to him, was able to keep the injured pilot and his rear gunner afloat until they could be picked up by a life boat from a destroyer. His gallant Conduct in saving two lives at the risk of his own was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.