The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Daniel Douglas Dulude (MCSN: 2186420), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Crew Chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-265), Marine Aircraft Group THIRTY-SIX (MAG-36), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 24 April 1967, Lance Corporal Dulude served aboard a CH-46A transport helicopter assigned an emergency medical evacuation of casualties from a company heavily engaged with the enemy nearly four miles northwest of Khe Sanh. Arriving over the area and learning that the landing zone was covered by trees and stumps and that heavy enemy fire would be encountered, Lance Corporal Dulude calmly directed his pilot through the terrain hazards to a safe landing. The first wounded Marine reached the aircraft and indicated that his companions would be unable to make their way to the helicopter without aid. With complete disregard for his own safety in the face of intense hostile fire, Lance Corporal Dulude unhesitatingly ran twenty-five meters to the side of an injured man and carried him to the aircraft. Braving the fire a second time, he located another stricken Marine and returned him to the helicopter. Although the Viet Cong automatic weapons fire continued to sweep the area, he ran again to assist the wounded, returning to the helicopter as enemy mortar rounds began to land in the zone. Undaunted, Lance Corporal Dulude courageously returned to the last of the injured men and brought him back to the aircraft. When assured that all the wounded were safely aboard, he instructed the pilot to lift off. Although exhausted by his efforts, he refused rest and immediately began administering first aid to the wounded en route to the nearest medical facility. By his bold initiative, courageous action and unswerving devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lance Corporal Dulude inspired all who observed him, was undoubtedly instrumental in saving several Marines from further injury or possible death and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.