The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Fifth Class Gary E. Hagen (ASN : RA-18966989), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fifth Class Hagen distinguished himself on 1 May 1970 while serving on a medical evacuation mission. Specialist Fifth Class Hagen volunteered to attempt to evacuate 21 emergency patients from a friendly perimeter which was in enemy contact at the time. Specialist Fifth Class Hagen risked his life by clearing the helicopter of barriers as it entered the evacuation site. He then departed the medical evacuation helicopter as they touched down and began to load patients, although under intense enemy fire. As the unarmed helicopter ambulance lifted from the besieged evacuation site, the enemy gunners nearby used it as their primary target. The air ambulance sustained fifteen hits and successfully made an autorotative crash landing. Specialist Fifth Class Hagen thereupon risked his life again by returning to the crash and freeing the pilot who was trapped in the wreckage. He then made repeated trips back to the crippled ship to remove the patients to safety. Throughout the night Specialist Fifth Class Hagen assisted the medic in administering emergency first aid to the patients, even though the enemy continued to mortar their position. In the morning he and his crew successfully repulsed an enemy frontal assault on their position with a confirmed body count of fifteen VC/NVA. Through Specialist Fifth Class Hagen’s timely, correct decision, and heroic actions, the lives of his fellow crew members as well as the patients lives were saved. Specialist Fifth Class Hagen’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.