Staff Sergeant Eugene L. Nardi distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Rescue Specialist on an HH-3E helicopter in Southeast Asia on 22 January 1969. On that date, Sergeant Nardi penetrated an extremely hostile area to extract a stranded aircrew member. Despite the hostile fire, which had severely damaged and driven off a rescue helicopter, forcing it to leave a crewmember suspended in the trees. Sergeant Nardi, unhesitatingly, volunteered to lowered to the ground to recover the injured airman. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Nardi deployed to the ground and effected the rescue of the injured airman. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Nardi reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.