The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Richard Connor Rosser, Jr. (MCSN: 0-93408), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-164), Marine Aircraft Group SIXTEEN, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 18 July 1968, Captain Rosser launched as Aircraft Commander aboard the second aircraft in a flight of four CH-046 transport helicopters assigned to insert a reaction force into an area near a large enemy unit previously sighted northwest of the An Hoa Airfield in Quang Nam Province. After executing a landing in the designated zone, his aircraft immediately came under enemy fire as the Marines disembarked. Quickly returning to An Hoa, he embarked additional passengers and, with complete disregard for his own safety, ignored accurate hostile fire as he again maneuvered his aircraft into the hazardous area. Despite sustaining extensive battle damage to his CH-46, which prevented lowering the loading ramp, he steadfastly remained in the fire-swept zone until his passengers had disembarked. Realizing the necessity of continuing to augment the small force of Marines, he unhesitatingly conducted a third troop lift into the designated area. As darkness approached and the position of the ground unit became untenable, Captain Rosser resolutely determined to assist in the extraction of the reaction force. Fearlessly exposing himself to the heavy volume of hostile fire, he successfully completed two evacuation missions, despite sustaining additional damage to his aircraft. Informed that three Marines had not been extracted, he voluntarily returned to the hazardous area and boldly remained in the fire-swept zone until unable to locate the men, he was forced to become airborne due to increasing enemy fire. By his courage, superior airmanship and unfaltering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Captain Rosser inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164 (HMM-164)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
August 1, 1968
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 Captain Richard Connor Rosser, Jr. (MCSN: 0-93408), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-164), Marine Aircraft Group SIXTEEN, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 1 August 1968, Captain Rosser launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned to insert a reaction force and evacuate the survivors of a reconnaissance outpost that had been overrun by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force on Hill 200 near Thuong Duc in Quang Nam Province. Although informed that the enemy force had saturated the terrain around the outpost with mines and booby traps, he unhesitatingly proceeded to the designated area accompanied by armed helicopters. Approaching the landing zone located on a narrow ridgeline, he skillfully maneuvered into the site and immediately came under a heavy volume of hostile fire as the reaction force quickly exited his aircraft. Ignoring the enemy rounds impacting near his helicopter, he calmly directed the fire of his gunners and pinpointed hostile targets for the escorting gunships while casualties were being embarked. Rapidly lifting from the fire-swept zone, he maneuvered his heavily loaded helicopter out of the area and departed for the nearest medical facility. Subsequently assigned to extract three additional wounded Marines from the same outpost, he returned to the hazardous area and fearlessly commenced his approach, immediately coming under intense enemy fire. Despite sustaining minor damages to his aircraft from the hostile fire, he boldly remained in the zone while the casualties were being embarked and then directed his crewmembers to mark several North Vietnamese emplacements with smoke grenades as he departed the area for DaNang. His superb airmanship and sincere concern for the welfare of his comrades inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the successful accomplishment of the dangerous missions. By his courage, exceptional aeronautical ability and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Captain Rosser upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.