The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Senior Chief Engineman James Lee Brotemarkle, United States Navy, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy. On 17 October 1976, while traveling with friends from Gardena, California to San Diego, California in a caravan which had experienced difficulties and had pulled over into the safety lane, Petty Officer Brotemarkle witnessed a car, traveling in the safety lane, crash into the rear of a station wagon where a young boy was sleeping. The station wagon immediately burst into flames. With complete disregard for his own safety and fully aware of the personal dangers involved, Petty Officer Brotemarkle unhesitatingly rushed to the scene and, with the aid of a friend, pushed aside the boy’s mother, who was attempting to free her son from the burning vehicle., and pulled the trapped and unconscious boy from the wreckage only seconds before the automobile’s gas tank caught fire causing the entire vehicle to explode. Petty Officer Brotemarkle’s courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk undoubtedly saved both the boy and his mother from certain death; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.