The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain John Bernard McTasney, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Rescue Crew Commander of an HH-3E helicopter of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Air Rescue and Recovery Group, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia from 3 May 1968 to 4 May 1968. During this period, Captain McTasney repeatedly attempted the rescue of a Special Forces team that was imminent danger of being overrun by the opposing forces that encircled their position in the A Shau Valley area. Despite intense, accurately directed hostile fire, Captain McTasney, with undaunted determination and indomitable courage, persistently attempted to rescue the survivors. On the third attempt, the aircraft sustained battle damage of such severity that an emergency landing was necessary. Captain McTasney nursed the crippled aircraft to a landing on a bomb cratered landing zone in the A Shau Valley, thus saving the lives of the four crew members and preserving a valuable aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain McTasney has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.