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 the afternoon of 26 February 1969,  First Lieutenant Casciano  launched as Copilot aboard a CH-46  transport  helicopter assigned to  insert a nine-man recovery team at  the site of another CH-46 which had  been  downed by  hostile  fire  in Quang Nam Province.  Arriving  over  the designated area, he skillfully monitored  his instruments  and flight controls and provided  a continuous  flow  of  vital  information  which  enabled  his  pilot  to commence  an approach to the disabled helicopter.  Undaunted  by an extremely heavy  volume of enemy small arms fire directed against his aircraft, he resolute- ly aided  the aircraft commander in maneuvering through a hail of hostile fire to land and disembark  the Marines.  Lifting out of  the dangerous area, he cleared his  CH-46 to  depart  for An Hoa.  Informed  shortly  after  his arrival  that  the recovery  team  was  heavily engaged with  the hostile force and required immed- iate  extraction, First  Lieutenant Casciano  ably  manned  his  radio and  instru- ments as he returned to the hazardous area.  Coordinating his approach with the rocket  and  strafing runs of supporting gunships,  he ignored  the intense enemy fire  as he  assisted  in maneuvering his helicopter to a landing within five meters of the beleaguered team.  Rapidly embarking the Marines, he cleared his pilot to lift  out  of  the dangerous location  and proceeded to  the Marble Mountain Air Facility. First Lieutenant Casciano's courage, superior airmanship and unwaver- ing  devotion to duty in  the face of great personal danger  were in keeping  with  the  highest  traditions  of  the  Marine  Corps  and  of  the  United  States Naval Service."