The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Robert E. Laramy (MCSN: 0-92373), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Aerial Observe with the G-2 Section, Headquarters, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 22 February 1968, Captain Laramy launched as Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) aboard an O-1 aircraft assigned to direct close air support missions for units of the First Marines near the Citadel in the city of Hue. Upon his arrival over the city, a low overcast forced his aircraft to remain at 500 feet altitude where it immediately came under intense anti-aircraft fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Laramy calmly pinpointed enemy targets with smoke grenades as his aircraft made repeated low level passes over the hostile positions. Ignoring the enemy fire, he directed a flight of A-4 aircraft in numerous attack runs and skillfully adjusted each bombing run with devastating effectiveness. Suddenly, the enemy fire struck the O-1 and mortally wounded the pilot. With the aircraft out of control and streaming fuel from its pierced tanks, Captain Laramy unhesitatingly seized the controls. Within moments, however, the aircraft’s engine stopped. Although not a pilot, he managed to crash land the aircraft, which exploded upon impact and began burning. Painfully injured in the crash, he crawled from the wreckage. Realizing that the pilot was still in the cockpit, Captain Laramy fearlessly returned to the burning aircraft in an attempt to save the pilot and was severely burned before the intense heat forced him to discontinue his heroic efforts. By his exceptional courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Captain Laramy upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.