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 Helicopter Squadron 364, Marine Aircraft Group 16,  First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat  operations against  the  enemy in  the  Republic of  Vietnam. On  the  evening  of  1 June 1970,  Fist Lieutenant Legas  launched  as  Pilot  aboard  a  CH-46  transport  helicopter  assigned  the medical   evacuation   of  several  Marine  casualties  who  had  been  extensively wounded by enemy mines.   Arriving  over  the designated  location,  he hovered low  to asses  the situation and observed that when  the  tall  elephant  grass  was parted  by the  downdraft  from  his rotor blades,  the  entire  field  was  literally seeded  with  mines.   Unwilling  to  risk  additional  casualties  by  allowing  any member of his crew to walk about  in the area, he conceived an imaginative plan whereby one  of his men   was  lowered  on  a  mechanical  hoist  to  where  each casualty  lay,  waited  on  the  spot  while  the  wounded  man was lifted  into the aircraft,  and  was  then  picked  up  and  moved to  the  next stricken  man.  For approximately one hour this plan was utilized successfully.  Fully aware  that the slightest  miscalculation  on  his  part  could  drag  a crewman  or casualty in the grass  and  thus   detonate  other  mines,   resulting  in  additional  injuries   and possible damage to his helicopter causing  it to crash land in the minefield.  First Lieutenant Legas exercised to the fullest his superb aeronautical ability and with calm  deliberation  moved  his  transport  slowly  over  the  area,  hovering  over each casualty with complete steadiness.  With the fall of darkness  it was  necess- ary  for  him to utilize  his exterior lights both to aid his crewman in his examin- ation  of  the casualties and  to enable  him to maintain terrain reference.   By so doing,  he thus became  a vulnerable target for  automatic  weapons  and  rocket propelled grenade fire which enemy soldiers delivered at his aircraft from several different directions.  Undaunted by this adversity  and  the low state  of  his  fuel supply  he steadfastly  continued  his  determined efforts until  all casualties  had been  embarked  and  he  was able to direct  the transport to the nearest medical facility at Da Nang.  By his courage,  bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, First Lieutenant Legas  was instrumental in completing  the  hazardous  and  lifesaving mission and upheld the highest tradi- tions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."