The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to First Lieutenant James L. Buckland, United States Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in the Republic of Vietnam on 2 April 1971. While aboard a CH-46 transport helicopter to assist the jumpmaster during Vietnamese Sea Commando parachute jump exercises at Red Beach Airfield, Corporal Buckland observed seven parachutists land in the sea because of faulty timing as they jumped from the aircraft. After guiding his pilot to a hover over one of the parachutists who was struggling to keep afloat, he saw that the man was being dragged under the surface of the water due to the weight of his pack and the wash of his aircraft’s rotor blades. Unhesitatingly, Corporal Buckland jumped into the water and swam to the side of the struggling Vietnamese while the helicopter moved away from the area. Cutting the lines of the parachute entangling the man, he swam to the beach with the parachutist and carried him ashore for medical attention. Sighting another parachutist motionless on the surface of the water a short distance from shore, he boldly plunged into the surf, swam to the side of the drowning Vietnamese, brought him ashore, and expertly applied artificial resuscitation until normal breathing was restored. By this time, Corporal Buckland was so exhausted and had accumulated so much water in his lungs that he fell unconscious and was evacuated to the medical facility at DaNang. His courage, bold initiative, and prompt actions in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in saving the lives of two Vietnamese and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.