The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Private First Class Felix Brillante, Jr. (MCSN: 1059779), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism in fighting a fire resulting from an aircraft crash, thereby insuring the rescue of the pilot at an advanced air base near Pusan, Korea, on 25 May 1951. An F4U-4B blew a tire on takeoff, swerved to the left, and flipped upside down upon leaving the runway, pinning the pilot within the cockpit. Gasoline, spilling from an external drop tank, ignited upon contact with the hot engine, causing imminent danger of explosion of fuel, napalm bomb, fragmentation bombs and 20-mm. ammunition. Private First Class Brillante witnessed the crash and, with a 51-pound fire extinguisher, ran approximately 150 yards to the scene, being one of the first to arrive. Realizing the great danger to himself, Private First Class Brillante unhesitatingly approached the fire and skillfully and effectively prevented it from spreading until the pilot had been safely extracted. Had the fire been allowed to spread it might have been impossible to save the pilot, not to mention possible additional casualties and destruction upon explosion of the ordnance load. 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.