The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman First Class David J. Hillhouse (NSN: 6818625), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (HMM-262), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 25 March 1969, Petty Officer Hillhouse launched as Corpsman aboard a transport helicopter assigned the emergency medical evacuation of several casualties from a Marine unit that was heavily engaged in combat with a large hostile force in a sector of Quang Tri Province. Arriving over the designated location, he observed that the wounded men were lying in scattered positions on a hillside and were dangerously exposed to enemy fire. While in the landing zone, the aircraft came under intense small-arms and automatic-weapons fire, but Petty Officer Hillhouse unhesitatingly disembarked and, fearlessly moving unprotected about the hazardous area, quickly embarked the casualties. On subsequent trips into the fire-swept zone throughout the day, he repeated his bold performance. When the helicopter was forced to hover over one position, he volunteered to be lowered to the ground to operate the rescue device, thus presenting himself as a vulnerable target for the hostile gunners. His heroic and determined efforts inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the accomplishment of the vital mission. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Petty Officer Hillhouse upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.