The  President  of  the  United  Sates  takes  pleasure  in  presenting  the AIR MEDAL (Silver Star in lieu of the Sixth 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  28  April  1969, Corporal  Allen  launched  as Crew Chief aboard a CH-46 transport helicopter  assigned the  mission of insert- ing a reconnaissance team into enemy-controlled territory approximately twenty miles southwest of DaNang in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the objective, the  pilot initiated a high-speed approach to  the zone and, encountering  intense enemy fire,  used evasive maneuvers to climb to  a safe altitude.  When  the pilot selected  an  alternate  point of debarkation,  Corporal Allen  directed  the aerial gunners to  deliver suppressive fire  at suspected hostile  positions while the pilot approached the  designated area  and landed  the  aircraft.  When the  helicopter ramp  was lowered,  the aircraft came under  a heavy volume of  small arms  and automatic weapons fire from a large and well-concealed North Vietnamese Army force and the pilot immediately left the hazardous  zone.  Alertly observing  that two Marines had left  the helicopter during the fire fight and were heavily engag- ed in combat with the enemy, Corporal Allen informed  the pilot of the situation and,  re-entering  the  fire-swept  zone,  assisted  the  two Marines aboard.  After checking the aircraft for possible battle damage,  he advised the pilot that it  was safe  to depart the landing zone.  His bold  initiative and  timely actions inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the vital mission.  Corporal Allen's courage,  superb  professionalism  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."