The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Denis Joseph Kiely, Jr. (MCSN: 0-77488), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE (VMA(AW)-235), Marine Aircraft Group ELEVEN, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 16 March 1968, Major Kiely launched as Section leader of a flight of two F-8 Crusader aircraft assigned to provide close air support for a Marine unit which was heavily engaged with a large North Vietnamese Army force near the Demilitarized Zone. Arriving over the designated area, he was informed that the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) had received a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire and that the enemy unit was within seventy-five meters of the friendly positions. Despite low cloud cover and poor visibility, Major Kiely commenced an attack and immediately came under intense anti-aircraft fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, he fearlessly executed three low-level bombing and strafing runs, delivering his ordnance with unerring accuracy. Although he had expended all his ordnance, he then conducted a simulated strafing run upon the enemy soldiers, forcing them to seek cover and allowing the ground unit to move several casualties to covered positions. His determined efforts and superior aeronautical ability were instrumental in inflicting severe losses on the enemy and silencing several of their weapons. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Major Kiely upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.