In  the  name of  the President of the  United States, the  Commanding General,  Fleet Marine Force, Pacific takes pleasure in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

"For  conspicuous  gallantry and intrepidity  in action  while  serving  as  the  Crew Chief  of  a UH-34 Helicopter with  Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 in the  Republic of Vietnam. On 4 December 1965, Sergeant SUMNER's helicopter was sent on  an emergency evacuation mission  to rescue  a  wounded  Army advisor  and  evacuate  the  crew  of  a  crashed  Marine helicopter  in insurgent communist  (Viet Cong)  controlled territory.  As his  helicopter landed, hostile  fire  was  received.  With complete disregard for his own safety,  he jumped  out of  the aircraft  and  ran  to  the  aid  of  the wounded  advisor.   While  still  under  direct  enemy  fire, Sergeant  SUMNER  climbed a steep  bank,  only to find  his path  blocked by  a  barbed  wire fence.  Tearing  down this  obstacle  with his bare  hands, he  ran  across an  exposed  area  for twenty-five yards,  but found  his route  obstructed  by an  eight foot bamboo fence.   Tearing a hole in the fence, he reached the  wounded advisor,  lifting him to  his  shoulder  and  returning across  the same  exposed  and  heavily defended area,  successfully  loading  him  aboard  the waiting  helicopter.  Resuming  his  regular duties  as crew  chief,  Sergeant SUMNER immed- iately delivered heavy suppressive machine gun fire on enemy positions.  By his heroic actions and  selfless devotion to  duty in the  face of grave  personal risk,  Sergeant SUMNER upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."