The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel William Russell Maloney (MCSN: 0-52112), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron SIX (VMO-6), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 1 February 1967, Lieutenant Colonel Maloney, as Tactical Air Coordinator (Airborne) and Flight leader of a two aircraft section of armed UH-1E helicopters, launched on an escort mission in support of the Second Korean Marine Brigade which was participating in Operation ESTUARY. The Marines were to be inserted by six CH-46A transport helicopters into three widely separated landing zones in the vicinity of Quang Ngai. Following the initial insertion of two hundred troops, during which Lieutenant Colonel Maloney led his section in a series of accurate rocket and machine gun attacks on scattered Viet Cong positions, the transport helicopters commenced the insertion of a fifty-man unit into the second zone. Almost immediately, the helicopters and the landing zone came under intense automatic weapons fire from enemy positions in the villages surrounding the zone. Quickly pinpointing the source of enemy fire, Lieutenant Colonel Maloney courageously led his section in an attack against the enemy positions. When fixed wing aircraft arrived, he commenced a series of dangerously low passes to define targets in proximity to the beleaguered Marine unit and skillfully directed air strikes against the entrenched Viet Cong. Resuming his escort duties, Lieutenant Colonel Maloney proceeded to the third zone and again led his section in a series of attacks against the enemy positions while the transport helicopters successfully landed 130 Korean troops. Having expended his ammunition and being low on fuel, he departed the area to refuel and rearm. As soon as his helicopters were ready, Lieutenant Colonel Maloney returned to the second landing zone to assist two UH-34D helicopters in the evacuation of numerous casualties among the besieged Marines. Despite his aggressive attacks against the enemy positions, enemy fire remained so intense that the evacuation helicopters were unable to enter the landing zone. Undaunted, Lieutenant Colonel Maloney continued his attacks, firing on enemy positions often as close as ten meters to friendly positions, until his ammunition supply was expended. After re-arming and re-fueling, Lieutenant Colonel Maloney returned to the hostile area to assist in the insertion of troops to reinforce the decimated fifty-man unit in the second landing zone. Fearlessly exposing himself to enemy fire, he made repeated passes over the hazardous area to assess the situation on the ground. Subsequently locating a small landing zone guarded by a squad of Marines, he successfully directed the landing of reinforcements in proximity to the besieged landing zone. With this portion of his mission completed, Lieutenant Colonel Maloney, heeding the urgent call for the evacuation of casualties, once again in the face of intense enemy automatic weapons fire, directed a CH-46A helicopter into the small zone, which was becoming obscured in the increasing darkness. With seemingly unlimited endurance, he delivered effective suppressive fire while the casualties were collected. Fearlessly and skillfully, he made repeated passes over the zone in order to draw fire away from the evacuation helicopter. Although his aircraft sustained serious damage from enemy fire, he continued his attacks until the medical evacuation was completed. Throughout the entire day and into the night, Lieutenant Colonel Maloney contributed a total of ten flight hours, constantly subjected to intense enemy fire, in support of the Korean Marine operation. His unwavering determination and extraordinary aeronautical ability inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of numerous allied troops. By his uncommon courage, resolute determination, and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme danger, Lieutenant Colonel Maloney upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.