The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Sergeant Jack E. Bailey (MCSN: 823987), United States Marine Corps, for heroic achievement in the line of duty while not in actual combat with the enemy on 4 December 1951, while serving with the 1st Infantry Training Regiment, Camp Joseph H. Pendleton, Oceanside, California. A trainee operating a flame thrower was encountered with a malfunction of the weapon during a demonstration. When the trigger was released the flame thrower continued to fire. The trainee became panicky and dropped the gun group thereby engulfing the lower extremities of his body in flame. Even though the immediate area was burning from napalm, Sergeant Bailey, without regard to his personal safety seized the gun group and held the flame away from other personnel in the vicinity. Although his own hands were covered by burning napalm he prevented injury to other personnel and enabled others to reach the injured man, extinguish the fire of his clothes and administer first aid. By his courageous and timely action, Sergeant Bailey prevented the injuries of the man from becoming fatal. His heroic conduct in the face of great danger to himself and others was outstanding and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.