Staff Sergeant Eugene L. Nardi distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a HH-3E Rescue Technician near Danang, Republic of Vietnam, on 12 May 1969. On that date, Sergeant Nardi's exemplary knowledge, and outstanding airmanship, displayed under extremely hazardous conditions, resulted in the successful rescue of a United States Marine pilot from the waters of the South China Sea. Sergeant Nardi jumped from his helicopter, into the sea, to assist the survivor and prepare him to be hoisted aboard, thus preventing the survivor from becoming entangled in his own gear and possibly drowned. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Nardi reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.