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 Richard Paul Parker, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life at the Pacific Air Force Jungle Survival School, Mount Pinatubo, Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, on 21 December 1969. On that date, Sergeant Parker arrived at the scene where a student was hanging over a cliff supported only by a vine. Without hesitation, Staff Sergeant Parker, despite the hazards involved, immediately secure one end of his climbing rope to a tree and, at great personal risk, immediately rappelled down to the student who was near complete exhaustion, and tied the other end of the rope to the student’s waistline. While the student was in this precarious position, Staff Sergeant Parker, realizing that any delay might ultimately prove fatal, instructed another member of the rescue party to hoist the student and effect a successful recovery. Staff Sergeant Parker’s quick reaction and heroic efforts undoubtedly saved the life of the student. By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellow man, Staff Sergeant Parker has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.