The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Gregory W. Kuske (MCSN: 2087698), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an aerial gunner with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-165), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 6 March 1968, Sergeant Kuske launched aboard the lead aircraft in a flight of two CH-46 helicopters assigned to insert a United States Army Special Forces reconnaissance team in enemy-controlled territory. Heavily damaged by hostile ground fire as it hovered to lower the team by hoist through the dense jungle growth, the aircraft crashed and burst into flames. Temporarily rendered unconscious by the crash, Sergeant Kuske recovered to find the helicopter ablaze, with flames spreading through the passenger compartment and toward the cockpit. Completely disregarding his own safety, he unhesitatingly moved through the blaze to assist three of the dazed and injured passengers to safety. Hearing a call for help from the cockpit while unsuccessfully attempting to extricate the remaining passengers, he exited the burning aircraft through a window, crawled forward along the fuselage, and found that both the copilot and pilot were trapped in the crushed cockpit. Undaunted by the flames and the danger of explosions, he climbed into the cockpit, cut the straps holding the copilot, and helped him through the window to safety. After a valiant, but vain, attempt to save the pilot and trapped passengers, he led the injured copilot up a steep slope to a position of relative safety. Upon hearing a cry for assistance in the vicinity of the aircraft, Sergeant Kuske ignored the intense heat and the threat of further explosions as he assisted in pulling an injured soldier to a covered position just as the aircraft’s fuel tanks exploded, spreading flaming debris throughout the area. By his steadfast courage, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Sergeant Kuske undoubtedly saved the lives of four of his comrades and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.