The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Marion Thomas Dragastin (NSN: 0-496796), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations as Pilot of a fighter plane attached to and serving with Fighter Squadron EIGHT HUNDRED EIGHTY-FOUR (VF-884), attached to the U.S.S. Boxer (CVA-21). On 18 May 1951, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Dragastin was participating in close air support against enemy forces in North Korea when his division leader was hit by intense ground fire while behind enemy lines. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Dragastin calmly assumed the lead ship and directed the disabled plane towards a friendly area. The stricken pilot was forced to parachute from his plane over a strongly contested area near the village of Hyong-ni. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Dragastin then remained close to the descending parachute and maintained protective fighter cover over the injured pilot. Flying at tree-top level in the face of withering anti-aircraft fire, he made repeated strafing attacks upon the enemy troops attempting to close in on the downed pilot. His devastating fire kept them at bay until he himself was fatally hit. His relentless fighting spirit and courageous devotion to duty with complete disregard for his own personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.