THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON, D. C. 20360

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

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

                 For  heroic achievement in aerial  flight on 29 and 30 April 1975  as a Flight Leader  of two CH-46D Sea Knight  helicopters while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE, embarked  in USS HANCOCK (CV-19) during  Operation FREQUENT WIND,  the  evacuation  of Saigon, Republic of Vietnam.  Upon  being directed to rendezvous with a second section of aircraft,  Captain Schoener proceeded inbound  to  the U. S. Embassy, Saigon.  Flying primarily  at night,  under marginal visual and actual instrument meteorological conditions, he  experienced antiaircraft and surface-to-air missile fire en route and  small-arms fire in  the landing zones.  Accomplishment  of  his mission without crew rest, injury,  or loss of a single passenger, crewmember,  or aircraft  further  attests  to  his  heroic actions.   By  his  outstanding  leadership, superb  professional  skills,  and  exemplary airmanship, Captain Schoener con-  tributed  directly  to  the  successful  accomplishment  of Operation FREQUENT WIND;  thereby upholding  the  highest  traditions of the  Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.

                                                                             For the President,

                                                                        /s/ (name not readable)

                                                                               Secretary of the Navy