The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Stephen Gary Lively (MCSN: 2647966), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, Fleet Marine Force, on 11 July 1972. As a photographer assigned to the Public Affairs Office, Lance Corporal Lively was covering a helicopter lift of Republic of Vietnam Marines into a landing zone north of Quang Tri City, Military Region One, when the helicopter was hit by an enemy surface-to-air missile. The disabled aircraft crashed in the landing zone and burst into flames. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Lance Corporal Lively assisted the copilot to make an emergency exit. Following the copilot out of the burning aircraft, he then assisted in extinguishing flames engulfing a fellow crewmember. Although painfully burned himself and injured by multiple shrapnel wounds, Lance Corporal Lively assisted in removing the seriously wounded crewmember to a nearby bomb crater and administered limited first aid. His coolness under fire undoubtedly saved the life of one Marine and possibly others from certain death. Lance Corporal Lively’s initiative and courageous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.