The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Brent J. Barents (MCSN: 0-89369), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 (HMM-263), Marine Aircraft Group SIXTEEN (MAG-16), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 June 1969, Captain Barents launched as Pilot aboard the second aircraft in a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the mission of inserting a reaction force into enemy-controlled territory approximately ten miles west of DaNang. The mission of the reaction team was to reinforce the crew of another aircraft which had been disabled during a medical evacuation mission in support of a reconnaissance patrol operating in the area. Arriving over the objective, Captain Barents skillfully hovered his aircraft while a medical evacuation helicopter embarked the wounded Marines. In formed that the reconnaissance team was surrounded by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force and that the Marines would have to be extracted and observing that the mountainous terrain was unsuitable for a landing, Captain Barents proceeded to a nearby landing zone facility where an extraction ladder was affixed to his aircraft. Upon returning to the Marines’ position, his helicopter immediately came under a heavy volume of enemy automatic weapons fire. Quickly leaving the area to ascertain the extent of damage to the aircraft, he was informed by his crew chief that the helicopter had received several direct hits but was still airworthy. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Captain Barents approached the hazardous zone a second time and, undaunted by the hostile rounds striking his aircraft, resolutely remained in his exposed position while seven Marines attached themselves to the ladder. Subsequently delivering the reconnaissance team to a nearby friendly unit, he was instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines. His bold initiative and superior aeronautical ability inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of a vital mission. By his courage, superb airmanship and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Captain Barents upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.