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  Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing   in connection  with  combat operations  against  the enemy  in  the  Republic of Vietnam.  On  the  morning  of  20  November  1968, during Operation Meade River, Sergeant Clemons launched as an Aerial Gunner aboard a CH-46 transport helicopter  in a flight of  fourteen aircraft assigned  to helilift the assault elements of  a Marine battalion into an enemy controlled area southeast  of  Da Nang.   Arriving  over  the  designated  location,  he  resolutely manned his  machine gun and  delivered  intense suppressive  fire  which enabled his aircraft to land in the fire-swept landing zone, disembark its assault unit, and depart  expeditiously  for An Hoa to embark additional Marines.  During  subse- quent insertions  of Marine assault  increments, he ignored  an  extremely  heavy volume  of hostile mortar, small  arms, and  automatic weapons  fire as he  skill- fully  manned  his  machine  gun  and  delivered  accurate  and  highly   effective suppressive fire against the enemy positions.  Sergeant Clemons' courage, super- ior  professionalism  and  unwavering  devotion  to  duty  in  the  face  of   great personal  danger  were  instrumental  in  the accomplishment  of  the  hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."