The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant John L. Brennan (MCSN: 0-100072), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group SIXTEEN (MAG-16), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the night of 12 February 1969, First Lieutenant Brennan launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the medical evacuation of a casualty from a Second Republic of Korea Marine Brigade unit heavily engaged with a hostile force in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the designated area, he was briefed on the tactical situation and was informed that the landing zone was under enemy rocket-propelled grenade, mortar, small arms, and automatic weapons fire. Forced to abort his first approach because of the intensity of the hostile fire, several rounds of which damaged his aircraft, First Lieutenant Brennan, realizing the urgency of extracting the wounded man, resolutely commenced his second approach. After requesting the ground force to pinpoint the enemy positions with ground flares and extinguishing his helicopter’s external running lights, he skillfully coordinated his approach with the fire of supporting Marine gunships and landed in the fire-swept area. Quickly embarking the Korean Marine, he departed for the nearest medical facility. First Lieutenant Brennan obtained another CH-46 transport helicopter when the first one was grounded because of extensive battle damage and resolutely returned to the hazardous area. Undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of hostile fire again directed against his aircraft and the lack of supporting gunships, he completely disregarded his own safety as he fearlessly maneuvered his helicopter through the withering enemy fire and landed in the dangerous area. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting in the area, he boldly remained in his dangerously exposed position until all the wounded were embarked before lifting out of the hazardous area and departing for the medical facility. By his courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, First Lieutenant Brennan was instrumental in saving the lives of the Korean Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.