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 operations against
the enemy in  the Republic of  Vietnam while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with  Company  I,  Third  Battalion,  Twenty-Sixth  Marines,  First  Marine Division.   On  4  December  1968,  during  Operation  Meade  River,  Staff Sergeant  Jones led  his unit to  the relief  of an  adjacent  platoon that was heavily  engaged  with  a large  hostile  force.   When his  unit  also  became pinned  down  by  the  enemy,  he  directed  air  strikes  against  the  hostile positions  and again  maneuvered his  men forward  until  they  came under intense enemy automatic weapons fire from well-concealed bunkers.  Disre- garding his own safety,  he fearlessly rushed across the  fire-swept terrain to a more  advantageous position  from which he  could provide  covering fire which  enabled his  men  to advance.   Employing hand  grenades and  light antitank  assault  weapons,   he  relentlessly  continued  his  assault  on  the enemy despite  the hostile rounds  impacting near him.   Realizing  that  his position  was  becoming untenable,  he skillfully  directed the  orderly with- drawal of  his platoon to a  more advantageous location.   Although  woun- ded,  he  steadfastly ignored  his painful  injury and  continued  to  provide covering fire for the Marines until all casualties had been evacuated and his men  reached relative safety.   Staff Sergeant Jones' courage, resolute deter- mination  and  steadfast  devotion  to  duty  in  the  face  of  great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

Staff Sergeant Jones is authorized to wear the Combat "V".