The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Harold J. Campbell, Jr. (MCSN: 0-85928), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO-HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-265), near Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, on 26 and 27 January 1967. When a six-man U.S. Marine Reconnaissance team was surrounded by a company of North Vietnamese Regulars, Captain Campbell was launched as the Aircraft Commander of one of two CH-46A helicopters to retract the beleaguered unit. On the first approach to the zone Captain Campbell saw his flight leader come under intense enemy fire and burst into flames in the zone as he orbited overhead. When his flight leader momentarily broadcast on the ground radio that all passengers were safe and had joined with the Marine Reconnaissance team, Captain Campbell returned to Khe Sanh, received permission to land a reaction force of U.S. Marines, and returned to the aid of his downed comrades. Knowing the only chance for survival for the grounded unit was reinforcements, Captain Campbell started his approach and also came under intense fire. He lost power and crash landed near the beleaguered Marines. Using their shouts for direction, Captain Campbell led the reaction force to the friendly perimeter and set to work assisting his flight leader who was now in command on the ground. Exposing himself to enemy fire, Captain Campbell assisted a Medical Evacuation helicopter to a safe landing during the night by holding a strobe light outside the perimeter to guide him down. Although wounded by grenade fragments, Captain Campbell continued to fight to hold their position and volunteered to be the last man out of the zone on rescue the following morning. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risk, Captain Campbell upheld the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.