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 Fourth Class Patrick S. Lynch, United States Army, for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 21 July 1969. Specialist Lynch distinguished himself while serving as a Crew Chief on a UH-1H helicopter engaged in an emergency combat extraction of a reconnaissance team near Hue, Republic of Vietnam. His was the second helicopter into the mountainous extraction site. As his aircraft descended to the extraction site, the enemy force moved to within twenty-five meters of the perilously positioned helicopter and leveled intense fire at it. Specialist Lynch, who had been engaging the insurgents with accurate aggressive fire, subjected himself to the constant enemy fire while lowering the extraction ropes to the ground troops. Returning to his machine gun, he resumed firing until the helicopter lifted out of the area. He then gave directions to the pilot, enabling him to safely clear the men and ropes from the trees despite the darkness and low clouds. His guidance to the pilot on the hazardous return route through the cloud-filled mountain passes helped to effect a safe return. Specialist Lynch’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.