The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Major Leonard John Bucko (MCSN: 0-2439033), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while serving with the THIRD Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, on 19 February 1984. Upon observing a group of ten scuba divers distressed in the East China Sea, Major Bucko with complete disregard for his own safety, donned his scuba equipment and unhesitatingly plunged into the cold and turbulent waters. Initially, he effected the rescue of two swimmers who were totally incapacitated. In turn, he pulled each of those swimmers to the water’s edge and pushed them onto the rocks where other rescuers were able to assist them. Subsequently, he returned to the other distressed swimmers and assisted them to the safety of the aforementioned rocks. His unrelenting perseverance while fighting the utmost fatigue undoubtedly saved the two incapacitated swimmers from drowning and prevented serious injury of drowning from befalling those that were not seriously distressed. Major Bucko’s courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk undoubtedly saved the lives of the swimmers; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.