The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator Airman Thomas J. Beltz, United States Navy, for heroism while serving as a wet crewman of a Search and Rescue helicopter on the night of 21 March 1978. When called upon to assist the crew of an F-14A “Tomcat” after it crashed into the sea, Airman Beltz, with complete disregard for his own safety and fully aware of the personal dangers involved, unhesitatingly plunged into the turbulent sea in an effort to rescue the struggling aviator. As he reached the survivor, he noted the flotation vest was not fully inflated. Deploying the vest, Airman Beltz then dove under the survivor to ascertain why the parachute was still attached. While trying to keep the survivor’s head above water, he cut the shroud lines of the parachute away from the survivor and summoned the helicopter overhead where he hooked the survivor to the hoist. Airman Beltz’s courage, skill, and sound judgment in the face of great personal risk saved the life of a shipmate, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.