The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Jon Ray Robson (MCSN: 0-69499), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron TWO (VMO-2), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen (MAG-16), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing on 15 September 1966, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. While serving as armed escort for a helicopter medical evacuation flight, Major Robson proceeded to an area five miles northeast of Hue Phu Bai. Arriving over the zone, he contacted the ground commander and learned that the ground forces were under heavy recoilless rifle, automatic weapons and small arms fire and that two of the fourteen would require immediate medical assistance. The situation was further complicated by the fact that the landing zone was located between the enemy and the friendly forces and it was impossible to move the casualties to a more secure landing zone because of the intense enemy fire. Although fixed wing aircraft were engaged in an attack south of the zone, due to the priority of their targets, they were unable to divert and support the medical evacuation mission. Realizing that, with rapid approach of darkness, any delay in the evacuation attempt might cost the lives of some of the wounded, Major Robson courageously began an air assault on the Viet Cong positions. He directed the evacuation aircraft to orbit clear of the area out of the range of enemy fire and then, in conjunction with an L-19 light aircraft, attempted to locate and destroy the enemy weapons. During the second attack, the L-19 pilot observed two explosions and recoilless rifle fire from Viet Cong positions. He marked the areas with smoke while Major Robson prepared for the attack. With complete disregard for his own safety, he braved heavy enemy automatic weapons fire and skillfully maneuvered his aircraft to tree top level, delivering his rockets with pinpoint accuracy on the target. A secondary explosion silenced the Viet Cong weapons and killed ten of the enemy around the position. Major Robson then directed the evacuation helicopter into the zone and continued to make suppressive fire runs over the surrounding tree lines to insure the safety of the approaches to the area. As a result of his heroic efforts, the fourteen disabled Marines were successfully evacuated without damage to the aircraft or further casualties. By his daring initiative, fearless determination and unwavering dedication to duty Major Robson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.