The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Harold B. Roth, Jr. (MCSN: 0-54026), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against while serving as Executive Officer of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group THIRTY-SIX (MAG-36), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 29 June 1968, Major Roth launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency extraction of a Marine reconnaissance team that was heavily engaged with a numerically superior enemy force in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the designated area, he was searching for the extract position of the friendly unit when his aircraft suddenly came under intense hostile automatic weapons fire and sustained several hits. Despite the enemy fire and extremely limited visibility, he steadfastly continued to maneuver his helicopter over the hazardous area until the besieged unit was located. Disregarding his own safety, Major Roth skillfully hovered his aircraft above dense jungle canopy and directed the difficult hoist extraction of four Marines, including three casualties. After expeditiously evacuating the wounded to a medical facility, he resolutely returned to the hazardous area and ably directed supporting gunships against the enemy positions while extracting the remaining members of the reconnaissance team. As his aircraft departed the location, it suddenly came under a heavy volume of hostile automatic weapons fire, rendering one of the engines inoperable. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Major Roth skillfully maneuvered his helicopter over a nearby ridge line and proceeded to a landing zone eight miles away, safely executing a forced landing. His bold initiative and resolute determination inspired all who served with him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the hazardous mission. Buy his courage, superb aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Major Roth upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.