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.