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.   Late on  the afternoon of  26 August 1969, Lance Corporal Crider launched as an Aerial Gunner aboard the lead aircraft in a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned an emergency medical evac- uation mission in support of a Marine unit which was heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force in a mountainous sector of Quang Nam Province. During the approach to the  beleaguered unit's landing zone, his aircraft was approximately 800 feet above  the valley floor when  it came  under an extremely  heavy volume of  enemy  machine  gun  fire from  commanding  terrain  on  both  sides  of  the valley.  The intense hostile fire destroyed most of the instrument panel, damaged the  entire boost  system,  and ignited  the cabin area.  Undaunted  by the flames which were spreading in the cabin and the intensity of  the hostile fire directed at his  helicopter, Lance Corporal Crider resolutely manned his weapon and boldly delivered  highly effective suppressive machine gun fire during  his aircraft's des- cent and  landing in  an open rice paddy.   Immediately exiting  the burning heli- copter,  he quickly  established a base of fire to cover  the approach and landing of  his  wingman's aircraft.  After  boarding  the rescue  CH-46,  Lance Corporal Crider continued to deliver  highly accurate  and effective rifle fire until the heli- copter cleared  the precarious area.   Lance Corporal Crider's  courage, superior professionalism, and unwavering  devotion to duty in  the face of great  personal danger were in  keeping with  the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."