The  President  of  the  United States  takes  pleasure  in  presenting  the  AIR MEDAL (Gold Star for 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  the  afternoon  of  2 November 1969, Corporal Nolan  launched as  Crew Chief aboard  the lead  aircraft  in a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned  the emergency mission of extracting a seven-man Marine reconnaissance team  which had discovered an enemy staging area  and base  camp five  miles west  of An  Hoa  and  was  heavily  engaged  in combat  with a large  North Vietnamese Army Force.   Arriving  over  the  desig- nated  area as  fixed-wing aircraft  were completing  air strikes,  he was informed that the beleaguered patrol was surrounded and under intense hostile small arms and  automatic  weapons  fire.  Undaunted by  the  extremely  heavy  volume  of enemy  fire directed  at his helicopter  and the numerous explosions in the target area caused by  the rocket and strafing  runs of supporting gunships and  OV-10 Bronco aircraft,  Corporal Nolan  ably provided  precise  clearance  information which  enabled his  helicopter to be  maneuvered  to a landing with only its main mount resting on  the edge of a narrow ridgeline above a deep ravine.  After  the reconnaissance team had embarked, he completely disregarded his own safety as he  boldly leaned  out the side  of his helicopter  and guided  his pilot  out of the precarious  area.   Corporal   Nolan's  courage,  superior  professionalism,   and 
unwavering   devotion  to  duty  at  great  personal  risk   were  instrumental   in accomplishing  the hazardous  mission and were  in keeping with the highest tra- ditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."