The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Navy Award) (Posthumously) to Major Russell Clemensen Goodman, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 12 February 1967 as pilot of an F4B aircraft in Fighter Squadron NINETY-SIX, embarked in USS ENTERPRISE (CVA(N)-65). Major Goodman was flying as an armed escort for a photographic reconnaissance aircraft which was subsequently shot down in enemy territory in close proximity to multiple antiaircraft defenses. Despite the intense enemy antiaircraft fire, he returned through dense clouds to the scene of the crash, located the survivors, held the approaching enemy boats at bay, and initiated and took command of the successful rescue mission. By making repeated low passes directly at the vessels through a hail of small-arms and automatic-weapons fire, he succeeded in deterring the smaller boats from their objective. When a larger junk continued on course toward the survivors, he launched a missile at the junk, discouraging further attempts to capture the downed airmen. During the fifty minutes required for the rescue, Major Goodman was under continuous intense enemy fire while flying under extremely hazardous weather conditions at dangerously low altitudes. His heroism and dedicated efforts in the face of grave personal danger resulted in the rescue of two downed airmen who faced certain capture, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.