The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Master Technical Sergeant Joe L. Burton, Jr. (MCSN: 475194), United States Marine Corps, for heroism in extinguishing a fire caused by the crash of an army plane during World War II. In disregard of the peril to his life from the possible spreading of the fire and explosion of the plane, Master Technical Sergeant Burton rushed to the wing of the plane with a fire bottle in order to extinguish the flames. His courage, coolness and foresight prevented spreading of the fire and thus saved further loss of life and damage to adjacent planes and other property in the area. His conduct has, at all times, been in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.