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

for service as set forth in the following

       CITATION:

              "For  heroic  achievement  while  serving  with Marine Medium Helicopter   Squadron  364,   Marine  Aircraft  Group  Thirty-Six,   First Marine  Aircraft Wing  in  connection  with  combat  operations against insurgent communist  (Viet Cong)  forces the enemy in  the  Republic of Vietnam.  On  28 May 1968,  Corporal  SPRINGER  launched  as  Crew Chief  aboard  a  CH-46  transport  helicopter  assigned  the  emergency extraction  of  a  Marine reconnaissance  team which  had  been  heavily engaged   with  a  large   enemy  force  near   An  Hoa  in  Quang   Nam Province.   When his aircraft arrived over the designated area, Corporal SPRINGER realized that the extremely hazardous terrain would require a difficult hoist extraction  utilizing a jungle penetrator.  Alertly observ- ing  the reconnaissance patrol on the ridge of a steep cliff, he skillfully provided instructions  which enabled  the pilot to establish  a precarious hover above the team. Despite the confirmed enemy activity in the area, he unhesitatingly  descended on  the hoist  to assist two of  the wounded who  were unable to evacuate themselves.   Maintaining his balance on a narrow ledge,  he cautiously  secured one of his injured comrades to the hoist, which lifted him to the relative safety of the helicopter.  When the device  was  lowered again,  he assisted  another wounded  man into  the jungle penetrator  and remained with  him to prevent  the casualty from falling  as  they  were  hoisted  into the aircraft.   On  the  following  day Corporal  SPRINGER  returned  to  the  hazardous  area  and  skillfully assisted in extracting the remainder of the reconnaissance team from the precarious position.   By his courage,  resolute determination and stead- fast devotion to duty,  Corporal SPRINGER was instrumental  in saving the lives of several wounded  Marines and upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.