The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant Richard W. Bush, United States Navy, for heroism while serving with Training Squadron TWENTY-THREE on 5 February 1976. Following ejection from an aircraft and while floating in a one-man life raft in the Gulf of Mexico, Lieutenant Bush observed a second aircrewman without floatation gear struggling to survive in the chilling water and five to seven foot seas. With complete disregard for his own personal safety and fully aware of the dangers involved, he exited his raft and swam toward the exhausted man. After assisting the crewmember by placing him in the raft, Lieutenant Bush unhesitatingly remained in the sea to render comfort and assistance to the man who was suffering from shock, exhaustion, burns and lacerations. His diligent efforts enabled survival until they were successfully evacuated to safety by helicopter. Lieutenant Bush’s courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk and extreme discomfort undoubtedly prevented the loss of a life at sea; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.