The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Warren George Drake (MCSN: 1519600), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Crew Chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (HMM-165), Marine Aircraft Group THIRTY-SIX (MAG-36), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 28 January 1967, Sergeant Drake was assigned to a CH-46A helicopter on an emergency medical evacuation mission in support of a Marine unit participating in Operation DeSOTO in mountainous terrain in the vicinity of Nui Dang. The ground forces were under intense enemy fire and had suffered eight casualties who required immediate medical evacuation. As his aircraft approached the landing zone, it came under heavy enemy fire which damaged its fuel system and disabled a generator and a control boost system. Once in the zone, the aircraft continued to receive heavy enemy fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Drake disembarked from the aircraft and began assisting the wounded men across an adjacent rice paddy to the helicopter. As he was lifting a wounded Marine into the aircraft, an enemy round hit the side of the aircraft and he sustained a fragmentation wound in his leg. Ignoring his painful wound, Sergeant Drake continued his dangerous trips across the rice paddy to recover the wounded. Again, as he approached the aircraft an enemy tracer round struck the ramp area and ignited fuel from the damaged fuel system. With exceptional presence of mind, Sergeant Drake splashed water from the rice paddy over the area and, assisted by other crew members, succeeded in extinguishing the fire. Displaying extraordinary courage and steadfast determination, he made eight trips across the exposed rice paddy to recover the wounded men. After the wounded were safely aboard and the aircraft departed the landing zone, Sergeant Drake rendered medical assistance and comfort to the wounded men. When the severely damaged aircraft made an emergency landing, he quickly deployed his gunners into defensive positions around the aircraft while he commenced to remove the wounded men to the Wingman’s aircraft which had been alerted to the emergency situation. Only after the wounded Marines had been safely delivered to the medical facility did Sergeant Drake seek treatment for his own wound. His resolute courage and deep concern for his fellow Marines inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of an extremely hazardous mission. By his daring initiative, bold determination and selfless devotion to duty in the face of great danger, Sergeant Drake upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.