The  President  of  the  United States  takes  pleasure  in  presenting  the  AIR MEDAL (Bronze Star in lieu of the First Award)

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 5 October 1969,  Corporal Neuman  launched as Crew Chief  aboard  the lead  aircraft  in a flight of  two CH-46  transport  helicopters assigned the emergency medical evacuation of a seriously wounded Marine from an area south of  DaNang.   Arriving over  the designated area  he observed  that the site  was obscured  by a dense cloud  cover and learned that  the Marine unit on  the ground was  under sporadic hostile fire.  When a break in the clouds was located  and  his  aircraft  began  its  approach  to  the  landing  zone,  Corporal Neuman  ably  coordinated  the actions  of  his  aerial  gunners and  gave  verbal references  to  his  pilot  during  the  approach  until  the intensity of enemy  fire directed at  his CH-46 forced  his pilot  to regain altitude.   A second  attempt to complete  the  mission  was aborted due  to  rapidly  deteriorating  weather  con- ditions.  After his flight completed an alternate mission nearby, he was informed that weather conditions at  the initial evacuation site had  improved and that his flight would return to  the hazardous area.  Undaunted by the lack of supporting aircraft, the extremely heavy volume of enemy fire,  and the restrictions imposed by the confined zone, Corporal Neuman alertly located and reported the sources of  hostile fire  and  provided a  continuous flow of  vital  clearance  information which  enabled his  helicopter to  be maneuvered  to a partial hover with only its rear  wheels  on  the  ground  and  remain  in  its  precarious  position  until  the wounded man was embarked.   He then provided precise flight  data which aided his  pilot in executing  a series of evasive maneuvers as he expeditiously departed the perilous area.   Corporal Neuman's  courage,  superior professionalism,  and unwavering  devotion to duty at great personal  risk were instrumental  in saving the life of a fellow Marine and were in keeping with  the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."