The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant John D. Haaland (MCSN: 0-96849), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Aerial Observer with Headquarters, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 10 September 1967. While seizing a hilltop in the vicinity of Con Thien, The Third Battalion of the Twenty-Sixth Marines became heavily engaged with an estimated regiment of North Vietnamese Army forces and sustained numerous casualties, including the battalion commander and the executive officer. Although medical evacuation and re-supply helicopters were unable to assist the ground unit due to the intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, First Lieutenant Haaland, upon arrival in the area, flew at altitudes of 700 feet in order to advise friendly forces of the enemy movements. Although the ground unit radioed him on three occasions to leave the area due to the intense barrage of .30 and .50 caliber machine gun fire and the 37-mm. anti-aircraft fire aimed at his aircraft, he steadfastly remained and requested tactical air support. Upon the arrival of supporting aircraft in fifteen minutes, First Lieutenant Haaland completely disregarded his own safety as he marked enemy positions and directed highly accurate fixed wing strikes against the enemy. Simultaneously, the North Vietnamese launched a human wave attack approximately 1,000 meters from the air strike. Reacting instantly, First Lieutenant Haaland directed part of the air strike against a force of several hundred enemy troops and halted the assault. Throughout the night, he remained on station to direct medical evacuation helicopters and to continue strikes against the enemy positions. During the action, the aircraft which he controlled damaged for destroyed twenty-five enemy machine gun positions and an ammunition dump and accounted for eighty-eight enemy confirmed killed and at least 150 probable killed. His daring actions, composure under hazardous conditions and resolute determination prevented numerous additional friendly casualties and resulted in the successful completion of the mission. By his exceptional aeronautical ability, courage and unswerving devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Haaland upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.