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  Thirty-Six, First  Marine  Aircraft  Wing  in  connection  with  operations  against  insurgent communist  (Viet Cong)  forces  in  the  Republic of Vietnam.  On  20 December 1967,  Corporal ALLEN  launched  as  Crew Chief  aboard  a  CH-46  helicopter assigned  to extract a  Marine reconnaissance team  which was  in contact  with a numerically  superior enemy force twelve  miles west of Hue.  Arriving  over  the designated area, he was directed to prepare the aircraft's  hoist for the extraction of  the  team.   The  aircraft  was  not  equipped  with  an  outboard hoist, which necessitated  rigging the hoist  through the cargo  boom access hatch  located  in the deck of the  passenger  compartment.   Displaying exceptional  ingenuity and resourcefulness, Corporal  ALLEN improvised a sling from  his aircraft gunner's safety  belt and attached it to the end of the  line on the hoist.   Leaning through the open cargo  hatch as the aircraft circled at  2,000 feet he quickly installed the cargo boom.  As his aircraft approached the pick-up point, he directed  the pilot to  a  hover  position  over  the  beleaguered  team.  Suddenly, his aircraft  came under  enemy  small  arms  fire.  With  complete  disregard  for  his  own  safety, Corporal ALLEN  maintained  his precarious  position  for fifteen  minutes  and skillfully operated the hoist system, lifting nine  Marines and a scout dog aboard the aircraft while continuing to provide the pilot with information for the precise positioning  of the helicopter.   His determined efforts and  calm professionalism were an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed significantly to  the accomplishment  of  the  hazardous mission.  Corporal ALLEN's courage,  technical  skill and  steadfast  devotion  to duty  in the face of  great personal danger were  in keeping  with  the  highest  traditions  of the  Marine Corps  and  of  the United States Naval Service."