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 night of 21 July 1969, Corporal Nolan launched as  Crew Chief aboard the lead aircraft in a flight of  two CH-46 transport Helicopters  assigned the emergency medical evacuation of five casual- ties  from a  Marine unit  which was  heavily engaged  in combat  with  a  hostile force eighteen miles southwest of DaNang.  Arriving over the designated area, he learned that the small landing zone was surrounded by trees,  containing numer- ous  bomb  craters,  and  was  marked  only by a flashing strobe light.   The first extraction  attempt was aborted  when his aircraft was  seriously damaged by in- tense enemy mortar, small arms, and automatic weapons fire as it landed.  While two gunships on  station were delivering their ordnance on the  hostile positions, Corporal Nolan quickly assessed the extent of damage sustained and reported to his  pilot that his  helicopter was  airworthy and capable of  another  attempt  to extract the casualties.  Undaunted by the heavy volume of enemy fire directed at his aircraft,  Corporal Nolan ably provided  a continuous flow of  vital clearance information as he guided the pilot to a landing in the confined zone.  With com- plete disregard  for his own safety,  he exited the CH-46 and boldly moved about the fire-swept  area to assist  in embarking  the wounded  Marines.  When all the casualties were aboard, he reported to the pilot and aided in providing clearance information as his helicopter lifted out of  the precarious zone and  departed for the  hospital  at DaNang.   Corporal Nolan's courage,  superior  professionalism, and  unwavering devotion  to duty in the  face of great personal  danger were in- strumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest  traditions of the  Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."