The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Corporal Paul Michael Bixler, United States Marine Corps, for heroism while serving with Marine Fighter-Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN at Naval Air Station, Cubi Point, Republic of the Philippines on 14 April 1975. Immediately following the crash of an A-6 aircraft into the Squadron’s maintenance area, Corporal Bixler, with complete disregard for his own safety and fully aware of the personal dangers involved, unhesitatingly rushed to the flaming wreckage of a M-35 truck. With the aid of three other Marines, he began to make a path through the flames with hand fire extinguishers to the helplessly trapped driver. Oblivious to exploding ejection seat cartridges, liquid oxygen bottles, and numerous other secondary explosions, Corporal Bixler and the other Marines finally forced the wall of flames back and rescued the now unconscious driver. By his bold courage and prompt actions in the face of great personal risks, Corporal Bixler was instrumental in saving the driver’s life; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.