The  President  of  the United States takes pleasure  in  presenting  the   AIR MEDAL (Gold Star in lieu of the Second 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 Bandish was Crew  Chief  aboard a CH-46 transport  helicopter  assigned  a resupply  mission near An Hoa in  Quang Nam Province  when a radio  transmission was  received requesting  that all  available aircraft proceed  to the location of a  medical evac- uation aircraft, with seven  seriously wounded  Marines aboard,  which had been shot down by  enemy fire.  Arriving over the designated  area, Corporal Bandish skillfully  provided information  concerning  the  exact  location  of  the downed crew, thereby enabling  the pilot to execute a landing nearby.  Undaunted by the intense  enemy automatic  weapons and mortar fire in  the landing zone, he fear- lessly left  the relative safety of the aircraft and  assisted in loading the casualties for evacuation to a medical facility.  Corporal Bandish's courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk saved the lives of several Marines  and were in keeping  with  the highest traditions  of the  Marine  Corps and of the United States Naval Service."