The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant Commander Dennis Michael Bergo (NSN: 0-598318), United States Navy, for heroism while serving board U.S.S. FORRESTAL (CV-59) on the night of 21 September 1979. Upon observing an F-4 aircraft crash on deck followed by flight crew ejection, Lieutenant Commander Bergo, the Catapult Officer, proceeded immediately to the crash scene to render assistance in the fire fighting efforts. In so doing, Lieutenant Commander Bergo observed the one crewmember’s parachute had pulled him under the port side of the burning aircraft and had trapped him. The port engine was still in afterburner and Lieutenant Commander Bergo recognized the immediate danger to the trapped and injured RIO. With complete disregard for his own safety and fully aware of the personal danger involved, Lieutenant Commander Bergo unhesitatingly proceeded to the underside of the burning aircraft in an attempt to free the victim. Although hampered by the weight and size of the victim, the intense heat, and the entangled parachute shroud lines, Lieutenant Commander Bergo, with the assistance of a fellow officer, successfully removed to safety the injured RIO. By his courageous and prompt actions in the face of extreme personal risk, Lieutenant Commander Bergo undoubtedly prevented further injury and the possible death of the flight crewmember; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.