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 as  a Pilot 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 the evening of  30 October 1970,  First Lieutenant  Baker   launched  as  Aircraft  Commander  of  a  CH-46   transport helicopter  assigned  the  medical  evacuation  of  a  seriously ill Marine from an extremely  mountainous  region  west  of  DaNang.   En  route to  the designated location,  the  weather  became  increasingly  inclement to the  extent that,  upon arrival over  the designated location,  he was unable to pinpoint the ground unit. After  attempting   several  unsuccessful  approaches  to   the  landing  site,  First Lieutenant  Baker  elected  to abort  the mission  until the  following morning to avoid danger to  his crew and aircraft.  Upon  querying the  ground commander, however,  he learned that  the stricken man's condition  was so marginal  that he required  immediate evacuation.   Determined to  make every effort to rescue the ill Marine,  First Lieutenant Baker  skillfully maneuvered  his transport over two partially  obscured  ridge lines  and began  a slow  approach  through  the  dense cloud  cover until,  sighting the barely  discernible illumination  of a strobe  light held by a Marine  on  the ground,  he  was  able  to  effect a  safe  landing.   First Lieutenant Baker's  courage,  superior  aeronautical ability,  and steadfast devo- tion to  duty at great personal risk  saved 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.