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 Captain (Medical Service Corps) John E. Sullivan, Jr. (ASN: 0-5417043), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 20 March 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Captain Sullivan was serving as pilot of a medical evacuation helicopter of the 283d Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance). In the early morning hours, an estimated Viet Cong regiment launched an intensive mortar attack against several friendly infantry elements at Bau Bang and a helicopter was requested to extract the casualties. Captain Sullivan and his crew immediately flew to the battle site. The insurgents had begun a massive frontal assault and were threatening to breach the friendly perimeter. In spite of intensive ground fire and almost total darkness, Captain Sullivan landed at a casualty collection point near the perimeter. After picking up several wounded men, he quickly lifted off. He had to fly directly over numerous Viet Cong positions, and with exceptional skill successfully evaded the enemy fire. When he had landed the wounded at a field hospital, Captain Sullivan returned to the battlefield and again landed amid a hail of ground fire to evacuate more casualties. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he again lifted off in close proximity to the hostile positions and flew to the hospital. Continuing to ignore the intensive hostile fire, he returned twice more to insure that all of the casualties were evacuated. His dauntless courage and superior flying skill were directly responsible for the saving of numerous friendly lives. Captain Sullivan’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.