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 as Executive Officer of Company M, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines,  Third Marine Division. On  15 February 1968,  while occupying  a defensive  position on Hill  881 South near  the  Khe  Sanh  Combat  Base,  Company  M came   under  intense  North Vietnamese mortar and  automatic weapons fire and sustained several casualties, including   the   commanding   officer.    Without   hesitation,  First   Lieutenant ESSLINGER assumed command of the company and, after requesting a medical evacuation  helicopter,  rushed  into  the fire-swept  area and directed  the move- ment of  the casualties to covered  positions.  Then,  standing fully  exposed to a heavy  barrage of mortar and .50 caliber  machine gun fire,  he skillfully directed the  medical evacuation  helicopter into  the landing  zone.  Although  sustaining painful   fragmentation  wounds  in  both  legs,   First  Lieutenant   ESSLINGER single-handedly  moved  three wounded Marines to the helicopter and resolutely remained in the hazardous landing zone until the evacuation was completed. His heroic actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines.  First Lieutenant ESSLINGER's courage, bold initiative and  selfless devotion  to duty at  great personal  risk were  in  keeping  with  the highest traditions of the Marine Corps  and of the United States Naval Service."

First Lieutenant ESSLINGER is authorized to wear the Combat "V".