The  President  of  the  United  States takes  pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to

for service as set fort in the following

                  CITATION:

                        "For  heroic achievement  in connection with  operations against the  enemy  in   the  Republic  of  Vietnam   while  serving  as  a  Rifleman   with Company I,  Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Third Marine Division.  On 14 July 1968,  the Third Battalion established a defensive perimeter southwest of Hill  55  near  DaNang  and  Company  I  dispatched  a reconnaissance patrol to observe  enemy  activity  in  the  immediate  area.  As  the patrol entered a small clearing   approximately  200   meters   from   the  perimeter,  the  Marines  were suddenly  pinned down by  intense hostile fire  which wounded one man.  Learn- ing  of  the  situation,  Lance Corporal CHILTON,  then  a  Private  First  Class, volunteered to accompany a reaction force to assist the beleaguered unit.  As the Marines advanced to within forty meters of the besieged patrol, they came under a heavy volume of enemy automatic weapons fire.   Alertly observing a comrade sustain  a  serious  wound  while  attempting  to move an injured member of  the patrol  from a position  dangerously exposed to the hostile fire,  Lance Corporal CHILTON unhesitatingly  left his covered position to aid the casualties.  Joining another Marine,  he fearlessly  maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain, deliver- ing  accurate  suppressive fire  which killed  a hostile soldier.   Upon  reaching  a wounded man,  he ignored  the enemy  rounds impacting  near him  as he boldly moved  the injured  Marine  to a position of  relative safety.   His  heroic actions and  sincere concern  for the welfare  of his comrades  inspired all  who observed him and were instrumental in saving the life of a fellow Marine.  Lance Corporal CHILTON's courage,  bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in  the face of extreme  personal  danger  were  in  keeping  with  the  highest  traditions  of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

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