The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Hospital Corpsman Second Class Vernon C. DeVries, United States Navy, for heroism while serving as a Hospital Corpsman aboard the U.S.S. SACRAMENTO (AOE-1) while deployed to the Western Pacific. On 25 June 1970 while underway from Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, to Yokosuka, Japan, Petty Officer DeVries was called upon to render emergency first aid to a shipmate who had sustained a cardiac arrest due to inhalation of aviation gas fumes. On his own initiative, he entered a fume-filled compartment at the risk of his own life, initiated closed-chest cardiac massage, established an adequate airway by which the patient could be ventilated by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and directed non-medical personnel in the area to secure the necessary emergency first aid equipment with which to sustain life. The result of his efforts was the eventual complete recovery of the shipmate. Petty Officer DeVries’ rapid response, sound judgment and presence of mind at a critical moment reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.