The  President  of  the  United States takes pleasure  in  presenting  the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to

for service as set forth in the following

                 CITATION:

                         "For heroic achievement in  connection with  combat operations against  the  enemy   in  the  Republic  of  Vietnam  while   serving  with  Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, Marine  Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing.  On the morning of 9 October 1970, Sergeant Howell launched as Crew Chief aboard  the lead  aircraft in  a flight  of  two  CH-46  transport  heli- copters  assigned  the  emergency  medical  evacuation  of  a  seriously  wounded Marine from  a unit which was engaged  in combat with  a hostile force  south of Hill 270S in  Quang Nam Province.   Arriving  over the  designated area,  he was informed that the casualty was located at an unsecure zone  on a  steep,  boulder strewn slope,  that no  gunships were  immediately available  to provide covering fire, and that the Marines were receiving a heavy volume of enemy fire. Undaun- ted,  he  calmly provided  such  precise  clearance  information that his pilot was able to maneuver his aircraft to a  one-wheel  landing on a  huge  boulder.  With complete  disregard  for  his  own  safety,  Sergeant  Howell  ignored  the intense hostile fire directed at his transport,  several rounds  of which severely  damaged the helicopter and  severed the communication  lines between  the cabin and  the cockpit, as he jumped from his helicopter, rushed across  the  fire-swept  terrain, and  assisted  in   carrying  the  wounded   Marine  back  to  the  aircraft.   After signaling the pilot that the medical  evacuee was aboard,  Sergeant Howell  reso- lutely  manned one of the machine  guns and delivered a steady stream of highly effective fire which suppressed the enemy fire sufficiently to enable his helicopter to lift out of the dangerous area and proceed to a secure zone where the casualty was transferred to the wingman's aircraft.   Sergeant Howell's courage, bold  ini- tiative,  and  unwavering  devotion to duty in  the face of great  personal  danger 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."

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.