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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) George W. McKenna, United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force while serving with the 334th Aviation Company, 1st Aviation Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam on 11 December 1968. First Lieutenant McKenna distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions as aircraft commander of an AH-1C Cobra, working on the Bo Bo Canal close to Cambodia. After sinking a small sampan, the team came under intense enemy anti-aircraft fire from six .50 caliber machine guns and thirty or more automatic weapons positions. In the violent fire fight that followed, the enemy suffered terrific losses. Five of the .50 caliber machineguns were destroyed, at least thirty enemy were killed, and numerous small automatic weapons were put out of action. In the process however, the enemy shot down the light ship and the low flying cobra cover ship. Still receiving fire, Lieutenant McKenna, in the sole surviving aircraft of the team, gave a “May Day” call and swooped down on the light ship, which was the only one he could immediately find. Quickly he loaded three crew members on his ammunition bay doors and took off for Duo Hoa while organizing the rescue efforts. Returning from the secure area at Duo Hoa, he was the first to spot the scattered wreckage of his wingman’s Cobra under the light from an Air Force flare ship. He then directed the light ship from a sister firefly team to rescue both crew of his team from the enemy who were enclosing the area. All of the crew members were safely extracted and only three had slight wounds. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.