The  President of the United States  takes  pleasure  in presenting  the   BRONZE STAR MEDAL to

for service as set forth in the following

                 CITATION:

                         "For heroic achievement in conjunction with operations against the  enemy  in  the  Republic  of  Vietnam  while  serving  with  Marine  Medium Helicopter  Squadron  364,   Marine  Aircraft  Group  Thirty-Six,  First   Marine Aircraft  Wing.   On 28 March 1968,  Corporal ALTAZAN  was aboard a CH-46 helicopter  attempting  the extraction of  the crew of  a downed  helicopter which had  been  forced to  make an emergency  landing in  enemy controlled  territory and  was under  heavy fire  from North  Vietnamese soldiers.   When  his aircraft came  under  intense  ground  fire  after  landing  near  the  beleagured  Marines' position,  Corporal ALTAZAN  used his M-16 rifle to deliver a  heavy volume of suppressive fire against the enemy while appraising the pilot of the situation and location  of  enemy positions.  Momentarily  forced  to  lift from  the  fire-swept area, due to the increasing intensity of hostile fire,  the pilot quickly maneuvered the  aircraft to  within  twenty-five meters  of  the  downed  helicopter  crew  and landed.  Disregarding the continuing enemy fire directed at his aircraft,  Coporal ALTAZAN  steadfastly maintained  his position and returned effective fire at the enemy  until one of the aerial gunners was wounded in the face.  Quickly render- ing medical aid to his companion, he informed the pilot and then returned to his weapon  and continued  to bring effective  fire to bear  against the enemy.  Since the downed crew  was unable to embark  because of the  intensity of hostile  fire, the  pilot lifted out of the  fire-swept zone to  prevent further  damage to  his air- craft or  injury to the crew and  directed armed helicopter attacks against enemy emplacements.When a third landing was made in the zone and the besieged crew appeared hesitant to  leave their positions,  Corporal ALTAZAN completely dis- regarding  his  own  saftey  as  he  exited  the  helicopter,  maneuvered across the hazardous area to the disabled  helicopter and  led the crew to his aircraft  which subsequently   departed   for   the   medical   facility   at   Dong   Ha.    Corporal ALTAZAN's courage,  superior professionalism  and selfless devotion  to duty at great  personal  risk  were  instrumental  in  the  evacuation  of  the downed crew members   from  the  hazardous  area  and   were  in  keeping  with  the   highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

Corporal ALTAZAN is authorized to wear the Combat "V".