The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Rawlin C. Gull (MCSN: 1803308), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Crew Chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMM-363), First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces on 1 January 1966 in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a resupply and evacuation mission to the Vietnamese Army’s Red Hat Airborne Brigade near Tuy Hoa, a United States Army helicopter, acting as escort for Sergeant Gull’s aircraft, was shot down and encircled by a large force of Viet Cong. Answering a call for assistance, his helicopter proceeded to the crash scene where the survivors were observed to be pinned down far from the wreckage by intense machine gun and automatic weapons fire from three quadrants. While a second aircraft delivered suppressive fire on enemy positions, Sergeant Gull’s pilot braved heavy enemy fire to land in the zone. Almost as soon as the aircraft touched down, he threw aside the machine gun he had been using to provide suppressive fire, unstrapped his safety belt and, with complete disregard for his own safety, leaped out of the hovering helicopter into the rice paddy. He made his way through waist deep mud and water to the first survivor, found that he was alright and proceeded, in turn, to each of the others. He fearlessly continued through the deadly fire, which was kicking up water spouts all around him, until he reached the downed helicopter’s Crew Chief, who was suffering from a painful arm wound and weighted down by the survival kit strapped to his belt. Unhesitatingly, Sergeant Gull picked the man up and carried him back to the waiting helicopter. When all were aboard, he signaled the gunner and started to climb into the aircraft, when, suddenly, it lifted out of the rice paddy, causing him to miss his hand hold. Realizing his exposed position, he immediately ducked into the water with only his head above the surface. At fifty feet altitude, the pilot became aware that Sergeant Gull had been left behind and quickly descended again to embark the stranded Crew Chief. Scrambling aboard, Sergeant Gull picked up his machine gun and placed a withering burst of fire into the enemy positions until the aircraft was clear of the area. He then began tending the wounds of the Army crew. His heroic actions were directly responsible for saving the lives of three men, and his presence of mind, when it appeared that he was left at the mercy of the Viet Cong, undoubtedly prevented the loss of his own life. By his courage, initiative and loyal dedication to duty, Sergeant Gull upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.