The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Robert S. Vermilya, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while flying an armored search and rescue helicopter in support of combat operations in Vietnam on 31 August 1966. Commander Vermilya took his helicopter and crew deep within Haiphong Harbor to rescue a downed pilot who was caught in heavy crossfire from both shores of the channel. Under heavy anti-aircraft and automatic weapons fire, Commander Vermilya executed a rescue approach and over and succeeded in snatching the downed pilot from his position and safely reaching the open sea.