The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Lance Allen Goodrum (MCSN: 0-93140), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-164), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 5 November 1968, Captain Goodrum launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport assigned a medical evacuation mission in support of a heavily engaged Marine unit on a mountainside northwest of DaNang. Arriving over the designated area and unhesitatingly beginning his approach, he received hostile automatic weapons fire from enemy emplacements located fifty meters from the landing zone, causing severe battle damage to his helicopter and forcing him to temporarily abort the attempt. After gunships had fired upon the enemy position, Captain Goodrum executed a second approach and again, came under a heavy volume of hostile fire. Resolutely determined to complete the mission, he steadfastly maintained his helicopter in a dangerously exposed position over the area while attempting to pinpoint the exact location of the landing zone until additional battle damage and the intensity of the enemy fire required an immediate departure. Sincerely concerned for the welfare of the casualty on the ground, he boldly commenced a third approach and was subjected to a heavy volume of hostile fire which penetrated the cabin in several places causing considerable damage to the aircraft and severely injuring the crew chief. Unable to continue the mission and with many of his vital navigational aids inoperable, he skillfully maneuvered his severely disabled helicopter from the hazardous area to the hospital at the DaNang Air Base where he delivered his wounded crew chief. By his courage, superb aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Captain Goodrum upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.