The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Valdemar Schmidt, Jr. (MCSN: 0-22476), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Helicopter Pilot in Marine Observation Squadron SIX (VMO-6), in action against enemy aggressor forces during a rescue mission in Korea on 13 April 1951. A skilled and courageous airman, Captain Schmidt voluntarily flew his slow, unarmed aircraft 25 miles behind hostile lines to attempt the rescue of a downed pilot in an area reported to be occupied by approximately 9,000 of the enemy. Encountering hostile anti-aircraft, small arms and automatic weapons fire as he approached the area, he continued to the position of the crashed plane despite continued, intense fire which struck his aircraft repeatedly, ultimately disabling it and causing it to crash. Steadfast in his purpose to complete the mission in the face of an apparently hopeless situation, he was subsequently instrumental in the rescue of the downed pilot, his own crewman and himself by another helicopter. His daring efforts, perseverance and courage throughout reflect great credit upon Captain Schmidt and the United States Naval Service.