The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Kenneth Bennett (MCSN: 2370807), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 25 January 1969, during Operation TAYLOR COMMON, Corporal Bennett’s platoon was occupying a perimeter defensive position for a landing zone in a jungled area west of An Hoa in Quang Nam Province. When a re-supply helicopter came under intense North Vietnamese Army small arms fire and crashed fifty meters from the landing zone, Corporal Bennett unhesitatingly rushed across the hazardous terrain to the burning aircraft, and although the fuel tanks had burst and were emitting fierce flames, he fearlessly crawled into the wreckage and removed the crew chief. Seizing a fire extinguisher, he attempted to put out the fire and, when the equipment malfunctioned, directed nearby Marines to pass him dirt and gravel. Although soaked in the lethal fuel, he valiantly smothered the flames. Disregarding hostile rounds impacting throughout the area, he broke his way into the mangles cockpit and succeeded in removing two crew men. Finding a third injured man trapped inside, he resolutely remained in his dangerously exposed position and worked desperately for approximately one hour until he was able to free the casualty from the severely damaged helicopter. Ignoring the intense enemy fire directed at him, Corporal Bennett then removed the aircraft weapons and ammunition, thus denying this material to the North Vietnamese Army force. By his courage, sincere concern for his fellow Marines and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Corporal Bennett inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.