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 Lieutenant Colonel (Medical Service Corps) Byron P. Howlett, Jr. (ASN: 0-75374), United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 498th Medical Company, 55th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Howlett distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 November 1967, as Aircraft Commander aboard an ambulance helicopter on a medical evacuation mission near Dak To. An airborne infantry unit was engaged in a fierce firefight with a North Vietnamese Army battalion and had suffered heavy casualties. Five helicopters had been shot down by enemy fire while attempting to extract the wounded from a small clearing at the base of Hill 875. Completely disregarding his safety, Colonel Howlett flew to the battle site and executed an approach to the exposed landing zone. Despite the intense hostile rocket, rifle grenade and automatic weapons fire placed on his helicopter, he fearlessly descended into the bullet-swept clearing and loaded five critically wounded paratroopers aboard. Although his aircraft received numerous hits by enemy fire, Colonel Howlett skillfully lifted the crippled helicopter from the landing zone and delivered the patients to medical facilities. Lieutenant Colonel Howlett’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.