The  President  of the  United States takes Pleasure in presenting a gold star in lieu of the second SILVER STAR MEDAL to

for services as set forth in the following

       CITATION:

       "For  conspicuous  gallantry   and  intrepidity  in   action  while  serving   as Commanding  Officer  of  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 morning of 19 December 1970, Lieutenant  Colonel Steadman launched as a  Section Leader of a flight of  two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the mission of transporting elements  of  two  Marine  companies  to  various sites in Quang Nam  Province. While on  an approach to one of  the  landing  zones in the Que Son Mountains, his aircraft lost power, crashed  approximately  seventy-five  yards  short  of  the landing zone,  rolled to its left, came to rest upon its port side among some large boulders,   and   immediately   burst   into   flames.    After  exiting  the  cockpit, Lieutenant Colonel Steadman  looked  back  into his  transport and saw that his copilot was unconscious and  pinned  down between  his  armored  seat  and  the deck. Undaunted by exploding mortar rounds and  ammunition and  the intense heat, Lieutenant Colonel Steadman broke  through one of the  panels and  reen- tered his helicopter. Upon seeing that one of his aerial gunners was pinned down in the wreckage and flames were rapidly moving toward him,  he boldly  assisted another Marine  in freeing the  aerial gunner and dragging him to safety through the broken windshield. Resolutely returning to the side of his copilot, Lieutenant Colonel Steadman  aided another  Marine in freeing the copilot's foot which was caught in the rudder pedal area,  cut the straps securing the man to his seat, and then pulled him to the windshield where others  helped to lift him out and  carry him to safety.   By his courage, bold initiative,  and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger,  Lieutenant Colonel Steadman was instrum- ental in saving the lives of two of his fellow Marines and upheld the  highest  tra- ditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."