The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Captain Michael Stephen Bowling (MCSN: 0-2212597), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while serving with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY_TWO while located at Cherry Point, North Carolina on 28 July 1976. While rehearsing for the Second Marine Aircraft Wing Change of Command, a light rain began falling. Seven men elected to take shelter under the wings of their F-4’s until the storm passed. Suddenly the shower turned into a severe thunderstorm and six of the men were knocked to the ground when a bolt of lightening struck near their parked aircraft. Captain Bowling was the only individual not knocked to the ground. Upon hearing a call for help, he unhesitatingly left his shelter and found a fellow Marine who had been struck by the lightening. After determining that the injured Marine was not breathing and had no discernible heart beat, Captain Bowling, with complete disregard for his own personal safety and fully aware of the continued personal danger involved, administered external heart massage and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until normal breathing resumed. By his courageous and prompt actions in the extreme weather conditions, Captain Bowling undoubtedly saved his fellow Marine from certain death; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.