The  President  of  the United States takes pleasure  in  presenting  the   AIR MEDAL (Bronze Star for the First Award) to

for service as set forth in the following

                 CITATION:

                               "For heroic achievement  in aerial  flight while  serving  with Marine  Medium  Helicopter  Squadron  364,   Marine  Aircraft  Group  Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing   in connection  with  combat operations  against  the enemy  in the  Republic of  Vietnam.   On  the  morning  of 17  December  1968, Lance Corporal Dion  launched as an  Aerial Gunner aboard a CH-46  transport helicopter  assigned to insert elements of a  Marine infintry battalion into enemy controlled territory east of An Hoa in  Quang Nam Province.   Arriving over the designated area,  the aircraft commenced  its approach to  the landing  zone and came  under a heavy volume  of  hostile  fire.  Undaunted  by the intense  enemy fire,  Lance Corporal Dion  delivered  suppressive .50  caliber  machine  gun  fire upon  the  enemy emplacements,  enabling  his aircraft to land  in the hazardous site,  debark its  passengers, and depart the area.   During four  additional  inser- tions of the Marine unit, he continued to effectively employ  his  weapon against the enemy and was instrumental in the successful accomplishment of the hazard- ous   mission.   Lance  Corporal  Dion's  courage,  resolute  determination   and steadfast devotion  to duty in the face of  great personal danger  inspired all who observed  him  and were in keeping  with  the  highest  traditions of  the  Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."