The  Secretary  of  the  Navy  takes  pleasure  in  presenting  the
NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to

for service as set forth in the following

       CITATION:

              "For  meritorious  service  while  serving  in various  capacities with  the  Third  Battalion,  Twenty-Sixth Marines  in  conjunction  with operations  against  the  enemy  in  the  Republic of   Vietnam  from  18 September  1967  to  7  October  1968.   Throughout  this  period,   First Lieutenant  Esslinger  performed his  myriad,  demanding  duties  in  an exemplary  and  highly  professional  manner.    Initially  assigned  as  a Platoon  Commander  with Company I,  he worked  tirelessly  and  with meticulous attention to detail as he skillfully trained his men to increase their  proficiency,  thereby greatly enhancing  the  operational  effective- ness of his unit.   Reassigned  as Executive Officer of  Company M  on 1 December 1967, and subsequently assuming the duties of  Commanding Officer,  he displayed exceptional leadership and  an aggressive  fighting spirit  as he unhesitatingly  exploited each  enemy contact  to  the  maxi- mum extent,  expertly maneuvering his men to  inflict numerous casual- ties  upon  hostile  forces.   Later  assigned  as  Commanding  Officer of Company I  on 27 April 1968,  First Lieutenant  Esslinger  ably  directed the efforts of his  men  during  Operation Mameluke Thrust  in  western Quang Nam Province  and was instrumental  in his  unit accounting  for numerous  enemy   weapons  captured.    Reassigned  as   the   Assistant Battalion  Operations  Officer,  he  continued  to  distinguish  himself in the outstanding  performance of his duties.   By his leadership,  superior professionalism  and  unwavering  devotion  to  duty,   First  Lieutenant Esslinger  contributed significantly to  the accomplishment  of  his unit's mission and upheld the finest  traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

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