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 18 January 1969, First Lieutenant Rush launch- ed  as  Copilot aboard a  CH-46  transport  helicopter  assigned  the  mission of evacuating  two seriously wounded Marines.  When his aircraft  commander exe- cuted the initial approach into the landing zone and their helicopter came under intense  hostile  fire,  First  Lieutenant  Rush  calmly  pinpointed  several  of  the enemy positions and kept  the supporting gunships informed as to the  situation. When  it was necessary to make a second approach,  First Lieutenant Rush assis- ted the pilot with the controls and operated the ramp for the men to board after the aircraft had landed. As a result of his vigilance, a collision was avoided when he  alertly observed an  A-4 Skyhawk which  was obscured  from the view  of the aircraft  commander  by the  angle of  approach.  While  en route to  the nearest medical facility,  the helicopter was diverted  to evacuate another critically injur- ed Marine near the location of  the first mission.   During  the second extraction, First Lieutenant Rush  again ignored  the hostile fire directed at  his aircraft and ably assisted his pilot in clearing the helicopter into the zone.    First  Lieutenant Rush's courage,  superior aeronautical  ability and  unwavering devotion to duty in  the face of great  personal danger  contributed  significantly to  the success of the  two medical evacuations and were in keeping with  the highest  traditions  of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."