The  President  of  the United States takes pleasure  in  presenting  the   AIR MEDAL (Gold Star for the Fourth 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 6 March 1969, Corporal Bandish launch- ed as Crew Chief aboard  the second aircraft  in a flight of  two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned  to insert and  extract reconnaissance teams  in the Elephant Valley area.  When  the lead aircraft aborted an attempt  to enter the  zone, after having  been  struck several  times  by  hostile  rounds,  and  departed   the  area without   disembarking   the  replacement  team,   Corporal   Bandish's   aircraft commander  elected  to attempt to  extract the  beleaguered team on the ground. As  his  helicopter  began  descending  into  the  zone, Corporal  Bandish  alertly observed  the enemy positions  from which intense  fire was being  directed at his aircraft and  then directed  the return  fire of  the aerial gunners, as  he delivered rifle  fire upon  the  hostile  emplacement.  Skillfully  directing  his  aircraft com- mander  into a hovering  position, he  then repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire as he pulled  the eight Marines aboard.  Once the  men had safely embarked, Corporal  Bandish ably  assisted his  aircraft commander in clearing the hazard- ous  zone and  then  resumed  delivering fire  and directing  that  of the  gunners against  the hostile  targets as  his aircraft departed  the area.  As a  result of  his professional  skill and  determined efforts  the  extraction was  successfully com- pleted  without  his  helicopter  sustaining   battle  damage.  Corporal  Bandish's courage, resourcefulness  and unwavering  devotion to duty in  the  face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps an of the United States Naval Service."