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  12 February 1969,  First  Lieutenant Britton  launched as Copilot aboard  the second aircraft in a flight of two CH-46 transport  helicopters  assigned  the emergency medical  evacuation of seven cas- ualties  from a Second Republic  of  Korea Marine Brigade unit heavily engaged with a  hostile force south of  DaNang.   Resolutely concurring  with his  pilot to continue the mission after the section  leader's aircraft was forced to land due to control difficulties,  he skillfully monitored  his instruments and  equipment and provided a  continuous flow of vital information which enabled  his helicopter to approach the landing zone.  When  the intensity of enemy fire forced the landing attempt to be  aborted,  he effectively coordinated  his second approach with the fire of  supporting  Marine gunships,  enabling  his CH-46  to land,  embark  the wounded  men,  and depart for DaNang.   Informed  that the  friendly  unit  had sustained  eight  additional casualties  who required  immediate extraction,  First Lieutenant Britton,  undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of  hostile rocket propelled  grenade,  mortar,  rocket,  small  arms,  and  automatic  weapons  fire directed into  the landing zone,  calmly and  efficiently manned  his flight instru- ments and radio and aided in maneuvering  his helicopter through intense fire to land  in  the dangerous  area.  Oblivious  to the  hostile  rounds  impacting  near his  aircraft,  he  boldly  directed  the  suppressive  fire  of  supporting   gunships against  enemy positions during  the ten minutes  required to embark the injured Korean Marines.   Providing clearance data,  he enabled his CH-46 to  lift out of the  fire-swept area  and  depart  for  the  Marble  Mountain  Air  Facility.   First Lieutenant  Britton's courage, superior airmanship  and unwavering devotion to duty  at  great  personal  risk  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."