The  Secretary  of  the  Navy  takes   pleasure   in   presenting  the
NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to

for service as set forth in the following

       CITATION:

                  "For  heroic  achievement  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  afternoon  of  20  September   1970, Corporal Buckland launched as an Aerial Gunner aboard the lead aircraft in  a flight  of two  CH-46  transport  helicopters  assigned  the  emergency medical  evacuation  of  two  casualties  from  a  Marine  unit  which   was heavily  engage in combat with a hostile force in a densely-jungled moun- tainous  area   approximately   twenty-five  miles  southwest   of   DaNang. Although  unable to bring  his  machine gun to  bear upon  the sources  of enemy fire  because he could not elevate  his weapon above the path of the transport's rotor blade tip, he boldly ignored  the intense enemy  fire as he resolutely remained at  his machine gun to deliver fire should the target be clear, while his helicopter entered the hazardous area and  safely extracted the two wounded Marines.  Undaunted by the heavy volume of hostile fire directed  at  his  aircraft  on  two  more   emergency   medical   evacuation missions  that  afternoon,  Corporal   Buckland,  despite  his  inability   to deliver covering fire because of  the proximity of the Marines to the enemy forces, boldly  remained in  his dangerously  exposed  position to man  his weapon  while   the  casualties  were  safely  extracted  and  transported  to Landing Zone Ross where they were transferred  to another helicopter and transported  to  DaNang.   By   his  courage,  resolute  determination,  and unwavering   devotion  to  duty   in  the  face  of  great   personal   danger, Corporal  Buckland upheld  the finest traditions of  the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.