The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Private First Class Ronald G. Biles (MCSN: 1224051), United States Marine Corps, for heroism in saving fourteen men from possible death by explosives in Korea on 21 August 1952. Private First Class Biles was assisting in preparing six tons of defective explosives for detonation. Working in a crater twenty feet deep, he saw that a dud while phosphorus shell which had been placed about three feet from the stack had suddenly ignited. He unhesitatingly dashed to the burning round, which was emitting smoke and flames, grabbed it and carried it to a water filled crater and immersed it. If left to burn the round would have detonated all the high explosives near it, and caused serious injury to the personnel working nearby. His heroic conduct in the face of great danger to himself was outstanding, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.