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

for service as set forth in the following

               CITATION:

                               "For conspicuous gallantry and  intrepidity  in  action  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  14 April 1969,  Captain Bianchino  launched  as  Copilot  aboard the  lead  aircraft  in  a flight of CH-46 transport helicopters  assigned  the emergency  medical  evacuation  of  seriously wounded  Marines  from an area south of DaNang.   During the approach to the landing zone,  the aircraft came  under  intensive hostile fire from  several  direc- tions  which  extensively  damaged  its  vital components  and caused it  to crash land  through  a  triple jungle canopy and  burst into flames.   Thrown  from the transport  and  rendered  temporarily  unconscious,  Captain Bianchino  quickly recovered  and found  his left arm broken  in three places and  his face and arms severely lacerated.  After painfully forcing his arm into the  front of his  survival vest, using it as a  sling,  he quickly assessed the situation.  Observing  one of his crew members pinned beneath the  burning wreckage, he extricated the  casualty and pulled him clear of the crash site, extinguishing  the man's flaming  clothing as he did so.  Boldly ignoring the ammunition exploding about  the helicopter as a result  of  the intense heat,  he then searched  for other survivors and,  locating another  injured  man  lying  beneath  the  fiercely  burning  aircraft,  pulled  his companion to a safe location and put out the flames  which threatened to engulf him.  Exhausted from his exertions and the excruciating pain of his own wounds, Captain Bianchino  collapsed,  although he did not  lose  consciousness.  Several minutes later, he heard helicopters overhead and, realizing the need to signal the location of the crash area to the rescuers, removed three regular rounds from his pistol and inserted  three  flare rounds with his teeth,  discharging  them through the jungle canopy when  he heard the aircraft again pass over his position.  Dur- ing  the  subsequent  recovery operation,  the weather  rapidly  deteriorated and, fearing that gusty winds buffeting the CH-46  would force the  pilot to abort  the mission, Captain Bianchino  steadfastly  refused  to  be evacuated  until all other casualties were safely embarked.  His  heroic and determined efforts inspired  all who  observed him and were instrumental in saving the  lives of several Marines. By his  courage, selfless  concern for  his fellowmen  and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Captain  Bianchino upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."