Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of 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 the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 25 April 1967, Lance Corporal Dulude served aboard a CH-46A transport helicopter assigned an emergency retraction mission of an eight-man reconnaissance team heavily engaged with a numerically superior enemy force west of Khe Sanh. All members of the team had been wounded and only two were able to walk. Arriving over the area, the aircraft began its descent into a restricted landing zone along a narrow ridge line. When the helicopter landed too far from the wounded Marines to effect their embarkation, Lance Corporal Dulude displayed exceptional skill and courage as he positioned himself on the open rear ramp, exposed to enemy fire only seventy-five meters away, and calmly directed the pilot through a difficult back-taxi maneuver to the first wounded man, all the while delivering fire on the hostile positions with his pistol. After assisting the first man aboard, he left the aircraft and ran under intense enemy fire to assist another casualty to the transport. Undaunted by the danger to his own life, he returned again to the fire-swept area and assisted another stricken man aboard. Throwing grenades, the enemy had advanced to within fifty meters as Lance Corporal Dulude courageously left the helicopter again to rescue the last of the wounded Marines. Only after he was assured that all the injured were safely aboard the aircraft did he embark and begin to administer first aid as the helicopter quickly lifted out of the hazardous zone. By his superior professional skill, courageous action and unswerving devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lance Corporal Dulude undoubtedly was instrumental in preventing the entire reconnaissance team from being killed or captured and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Lance Corporal

    Batallion:

    Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM-265)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    April 24, 1967

    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.