The  President  of  the  United  Sates  takes  pleasure  in  presenting  the AIR MEDAL (Gold Star in lieu of the Fifth 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.  On 26 February 1969, Corporal Allen  launched  as Crew Chief  aboard a CH-46 transport  helicopter  assigned to insert a nine-man recovery team at the site  of another CH-46  which had been downed  by  hostile fire in Quang Nam Province.  Arriving over the  designated area, he ignored  the extremely  heavy volume of enemy small arms fire directed against his aircraft as he ably  provided a  continuos flow of clearance  information which enabled  his helicopter  to land and disembark the  Marines.  Clearing  his  pilot to lift out of the hazardous position, he  proceeded to An Hoa, and when  the  recovery  team became  heavily engaged with a hostile force and required immediate extraction, Corporal  Allen's  aircraft  returned  to  the  dangerous  area.   Disregarding  the intensity of the  enemy fire,  he again provided  effective and accurate  clearance data, enabling his CH-46 to land within  five meters of the beleaguered  Marines. With  complete  disregard  for  his own safety, he  jumped  from his aircraft  and boldly  assisted  in  embarking  the  team  members and  their  equipment.  After assuring  that all the Marines were aboard,  he cleared his pilot  to lift out of the fire-swept  area and  proceeded to the  Marble Mountain Air Facility.   Corporal Allen'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 of the United States Naval Service."