In  the  name  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  the  Commanding General, Fleet Marine  Force,  Pacific  takes  pleasure  in  presenting  the 
NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

"For  meritorious  achievement  while  serving  as a  Helicopter Crew Chief  with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364  in the  Republic of Vietnam.   On  28 March 1966, Sergeant SUMNER's aircraft flew two separate sorties  into an area dominated  by insurgent communist  (Viet Cong) forces  to effect the emergency medical  evacuation  of twenty-five wounded  Vietnamese  soldiers and  deliver a load   of  badly  needed   ammunition  to  defending  friendly   forces.   On  both approaches  and  departures  from the confined landing  zone, intense automatic weapons  and small arms fire was  received.  As  a result of  Sergeant SUMNER's professional  skill  and  courage  in  returning accurate  suppressive fire  into the enemy positions, informing the pilot of enemy positions and aiding the wounded aboard,  the  mission was  completed with a  minimal amount of damage  to  the aircraft  and no injury to  the crew.   By his skill  and devotion to duty, Sergeant SUMNER upheld the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Sergeant SUMNER is authorized to wear the Combat "V".