The  President  of  the United States takes pleasure  in  presenting  the   AIR MEDAL (Gold Star in lieu of the Third 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  20  January  1969,  First  Lieutenant Britton  launched  as  Copilot  aboard  a CH-46  transport  helicopter assigned a medical  evacuation mission  near An Hoa  in  Quang  Nam  Province.   Arriving over the designated area,  he aided the pilot in locating the Marine ground unit's position  and  commenced  preparations  for  a  hoist  extraction.   During  three approaches  to the  wounded  man's  location,  all  of  which  had  to be  aborted due to the heavy volume of hostile fire,  First Lieutenant Britton directed the fire of  the  supporting UH-1E  gunships at  the enemy positions.   Returning  to  the hazardous area after  refueling at An Hoa,  he aided the aircraft  commander  in establishing  and maintaining  a hover  over  the casualty's  position  during  the twenty  minutes  required for  the evacuation,  seemingly disregarding the hostile fire  directed at his helicopter.   First Lieutenant Britton's  courage, superior air- manship and steadfast devotion to duty at great personal risk earned the respect of all who observed him  and and were in  keeping with the highest  traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."