The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star with Combat “V” to Specialist Fourth Class Jack W. Blundell (ASN: RA-18674361), United States Army, for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force. Specialist Fourth Class Blundell distinguished himself by heroic action on 6 April 1965, while serving as Crew Chief aboard an evacuation helicopter in the Republic of Vietnam. During the course of an operation to rescue the pilot of a downed fighter-bomber, the helicopter came under hostile automatic weapons fire. On landing, Specialist Blundell dismounted from the helicopter and proceeded to the downed aircraft. Climbing up on the wing, where he was exposed to the intense Viet Cong fire, he began to remove the torn metal and shattered glass from the cockpit in an effort to extricate the body of the pilot. An armed helicopter, flying cover for the air ambulance, was hit and made a forced landing near the evacuation helicopter. When ordered back to his ship by the aircraft commander, Specialist Blundell assisted the members of the downed helicopter aboard his aircraft at great risk to himself. Specialist Blundell’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.