The  President  of  the  United States  takes  pleasure  in  presenting  the  AIR MEDAL (Bronze Star for the First 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.   Late on  the afternoon of  26 August 1969, Sergeant Rogers  launched as  Crew Chief aboard the  lead aircraft  in a flight of two  CH-46  transport  helicopters  assigned  an  emergency  medical  evacuation mission in support of a Marine unit which was heavily engaged in combat with a hostile  force  in  a  mountainous  sector  of  Quang  Nam  Province.  During the approach to the  beleaguered unit's landing zone, his aircraft was approximately 800 feet above  the valley floor when  it came  under an extremely  heavy volume of  enemy  machine  gun  fire from  commanding  terrain  on  both  sides  of  the valley.  The intense hostile fire destroyed most of the instrument panel, damaged the  entire boost  system,  and ignited  the cabin area.  Undaunted  by the flames which were spreading in the cabin and the intensity of  the hostile fire directed at his helicopter,  Sergeant Rogers  resolutely manned his weapon and boldly deliv- ered  highly effective suppressive  machine gun fire  during  his aircraft's descent and landing  in an open rice paddy.  Immediately exiting the burning helicopter, he quickly  established a base of fire to cover  the  approach and  landing of  his  wingman's aircraft.  After  boarding  the rescue CH-46,  Sergeant Rogers contin- ued to deliver highly accurate  and effective rifle fire until the helicopter cleared  the precarious  area.   Sergeant Rogers'  courage, superior  professionalism, and unwavering  devotion  to  duty  in  the  face  of  great  personal  danger  were in  keeping with  the  highest  traditions of the  Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."