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 Radio Operator with Company B, Third Reconnaissance Battalion,  Third Marine Division. On  20 January 1968,  Lance Corporal  PAGANO was  a member of a long range reconnaissance team assigned to patrol the area west of Hill 881 near Khe Sanh.  While maneuvering toward  their objective, they were providing rear security for Company I,  Third Battalion,  Twenty-Sixth Marines when the  infantry unit  suddenly engaged a large  North Vietnamese Army  force and sustained  numerous casualties.  After  the reconnaissance  team estab- lished  a perimeter  for  the evacuation  of  the  wounded,  Lance  Corporal PAGANO  directed  the  medical  evacuation  helicopters  into  the  landing zone  and skillfully  adjusted accurate  artillery fire on the enemy positions. Subsequently,  the reconnaissance team merged with  the friendly unit,  and as  the Marines  commenced an assault against  the hostile force,  they sud- denly came  under intense enemy  automatic weapons fire and  were pinned down.   Although  painfully  wounded in  the initial momements of  the fire fight,  Lance Corporal PAGANO  fearlessly exposed  himself to  the intense hostile  fire and skillfully  directed air  strikes on  the enemy positions.  His bold  initiative and heroic  actions were  an inspiration to  all who observed him  and assisted immeasurably  in enabling the  Marines to seize  their ob- jective.  Lance Corporal PAGANO's courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty  in the face of great personal danger contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission and were  in keep- ing  with  the  highest  traditions of  the  Marine Corps  and of  the  United States Naval Service."

Lance Corporal PAGANO is authorized to wear the Combat "V".