The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Dale Thomas Parry (MCSN: 1072872), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-165), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 29 Mach 1968, Gunnery Sergeant Parry volunteered to lead a recovery team inserted into enemy territory near the Ashau Valley to prepare a CH-46 transport helicopter for extraction. The aircraft had been extensively damaged by enemy ground fire while transporting reinforcements and the pilot had been forced to crash-land. Once in the hazardous zone, the recovery team came under mortar and small arms fire. Unable to complete the preparations due to the heavy volume of hostile fire, Gunnery Sergeant Parry deployed his men in a perimeter defense to await extraction. Boarding another helicopter which had landed nearby, the team was lifted from the area when the aircraft was suddenly hit by enemy fire and crash-landed in a ravine, 300 meters away. Quickly exiting the helicopter, Gunnery Sergeant Parry assisted the personnel from the wreckage and then, along with two companions, returned to the aircraft in order to shut down the engines and prevent a possible explosion and fire. Subsequently returning to the downed helicopter in search of survival equipment, he observed that the enemy had surrounded the aircraft and immediately organized the men and led them to a clearing, approximately 300 meters away. Late in the afternoon, he signaled a UH-1E helicopter gunship in the area and informed the pilot of the situation using a radio dropped from the aircraft. After the gunship completed several strafing runs against the enemy positions, an attempt was made to evacuate one man who had been seriously injured earlier in the day. As the casualty was being placed aboard the helicopter, the rotor blades struck the surrounding foliage and the aircraft crashed. Reacting instantly, Gunnery Sergeant Parry rushed to the aircraft and assisted the crew to safety. Due to approaching darkness, a defense perimeter was established in a bomb crater and during the night and early morning hours, he administered medical aid and comforted the wounded. On the afternoon of the following day, another UH-1E gunship crashed and Gunnery Sergeant Parry, accompanied by another Marine, rushed to the aircraft to render assistance. Observing that the wounded copilot was about to fall down the side of a steep cliff, he quickly stopped the man, undoubtedly preventing further injury. After treating the man’s wounds, rescue aircraft arrived and safely extracted the Marines from their untenable location. His heroic and selfless actions were an inspiration to all who observed him and undoubtedly saved the lives of several men. By his courage, resolute determination and unwavering devotion to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Parry upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.