The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Chief Warrant Officer Thomas C. Gipson, Jr. (ASN: W-3152161), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 283d Medical Detachment, 25th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. Chief Warrant Officer Gipson distinguished himself by heroic actions on 8 January 1967, while serving as Aircraft Commander of a Medical Evacuation Helicopter in support of Operation CEDAR FALLS. After receiving an urgent request for a forward pickup of sixteen casualties, Chief Warrant Officer Gipson immediately headed for the area despite the fact that darkness was approaching and his aircraft had no communication with the ground element. He located the unit and as the wounded were being loaded aboard the helicopter the aircraft came under intense machinegun and small arms fire, sending rounds through the cargo compartment. Chief Warrant Officer Gipson was wounded by fragments during the intense fire but remained in position until the aircraft had eight of the casualties aboard. Amid enemy fire, his heavily laden ship later returned to the area in total darkness and maneuvered into a landing zone in the rice paddy marked by a flare fired by the friendly unit. His crew quickly loaded the remaining casualties safely aboard the aircraft and returned to the aid station. Chief Warrant Officer Gipson’s actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.