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 Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW-2) David Alexander Pearsall (ASN: W-3156317), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Pearsall distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 December 1967, as Aircraft Commander of an Ambulance Helicopter of the 45th Medical Company, 68th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, on a rescue mission near Cu Chi. Mister Pearsall’s helicopter received an urgent request to evacuate twelve seriously wounded men and immediately flew to the battle area. The mission was undertaken despite the knowledge that several rescue ships had previously been shot down in the area. After an unhampered landing the crew began loading the patients. Murderous enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire suddenly erupted from a nearby tree line, riddling his helicopter. With four casualties loaded, the pilot ordered the medic and crew chief to climb aboard and took off to prevent further damage to the ship. The hostile barrage in the landing zone ceased, and they returned to rescue the remainder of the casualties. The enemy force launched a second fusillade on his ship, and both he and the pilot were wounded as rounds tore into the craft. Despite mounting damage to the helicopter, the helicopter remained on the ground until all of the injured were loaded. They then took off and together with the wounded pilot, Mr. Pearsall ignored his own wounds to aid in skillfully nursing the badly crippled ship to an airfield. Warrant Officer Pearsall’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.