The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class Gerald Allen Burandt (NSN: 8654221), United States Navy, for heroism while serving as Petty Officer in Charge of a hot refueling crew supporting a joint Light Photographic Squadron TWO ZERO SIX/THRE ZERO SIX carrier qualification detachment at Naval Air Station, Cecil Field, Florida on 18 February 1983. Just as the re-fueling operation of an RF-8G Crusader was about to begin, a hydraulic line ruptured, spraying highly flammable fluid over the entire port mid-section of the aircraft which burst into flames when ignited by the heat from the brake. Upon seeing the explosion, Petty Officer Burandt, with complete disregard for his own safety and fully aware of the inherent dangers involved, unhesitatingly manned the primary fire extinguisher and attacked the fire. The flames were engulfing the aircraft and although his fire fighting equipment was malfunctioning, Petty Officer Burandt’s persistence paid off when the fire was finally extinguished. By his courageous and prompt response to a potentially catastrophic situation despite imminent personal risk, Petty Officer Burandt undoubtedly averted the loss of life and loss of an irreplaceable aircraft; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.