The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major George Martin Shiffler, Jr. (MCSN: 0-64365), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Helicopter Aircraft Commander with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-361), 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 28 October 1965, shortly after midnight, the Marble Mountain Airfield and adjacent Camp Adenir came under a strong and determined Viet Cong attack, delivered with vicious fanaticism. Besides inflicting many Marine casualties, the attack damaged and destroyed many aircraft. When a call from Camp Adenir was received asking for immediate evacuation of wounded personnel, Major Shiffler volunteered to fly the wounded to the nearest medical facility. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he proceeded on foot through intense automatic weapons fire to the aircraft parking area. There he was met by violent explosions and raging fires generated by the attack. Ignoring the conflagration, the incessant enemy fire and bodies of slain suicidal attackers with demolition charges still strapped to them, Major Shiffler finally found an apparently undamaged aircraft. With no opportunity to determine whether the helicopter had been prepared for demolition by the enemy, he took off into the intense fire and headed for Camp Adenir. Forced to land in a small area, guided only by flashlights and a truck’s headlights, he called upon his experience and superior skill to land in spite of hits from enemy fire. Major Shiffler evacuated as many wounded as his helicopter would carry and delivered them to the nearest medical facility. Repeatedly hit by enemy fire, he heroically continued to evacuate casualties until informed that the mission was complete. He was successful in evacuating twenty seriously wounded men, many of whom would not have survived without his courageous and determined efforts. By his initiative, skill and selfless devotion to duty, Major Shiffler upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.