The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Airman’s Medal to Staff Sergeant Robert L. Zontini, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life at the Ngong Mountain Region of Kenya, near Nairobi Airport on 17 May 1962. On that date, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Zontini entered the wreckage of a C-130 aircraft which was still hot and was teetering on a small cliff over a 2,000 foot drop to search for and rescue any possibly trapped survivors. The decisive action, exemplary courage, and humanitarianism displayed by Sergeant Zontini reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.