The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Bernard Reinhold Terhorst (MCSN: 0-68004), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMM-263), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the night of 23 February 1969, Major Terhorst launched as Aircraft Commander aboard a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned the emergency medical evacuation of nine casualties from a Marine unit heavily engaged with a hostile force northwest of Hill 10 in Quang Nam Province. Arriving at the designated area, he was informed that one of the wounded men was in critical condition and required immediate extraction, that the landing zone was only thirty feet in diameter and surrounded by tall trees, and that the aircraft which had previously attempted the evacuation was forced to abort its mission because of the intensity of enemy fire. Coordinating his approach with the fire of Marine supporting gunships and the illumination provided by a flareships, Major Terhorst commenced a tight, spiraling approach and had reached an altitude of approximately 200 feet when his CH-46 came under an extremely heavy volume of hostile fire, several rounds of which struck his aircraft. Undaunted, he resolutely determined to continue his approach. With complete disregard for his own safety, he skillfully maneuvered his helicopter through the intense enemy fire to a landing in the extremely confined zone. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting in the area and the extensive damage sustained by his CH-46 from the enemy fire, Major Terhorst fearlessly remained in his dangerously exposed position until all the casualties were embarked. Utilizing maximum power for lift-off and evasive maneuvers, he quickly departed the dangerous area. When the extensive battle damage sustained by the helicopter precluded a flight to DaNang, Major Terhorst skillfully maneuvered is crippled aircraft to a safe landing at the First Medical Battalion site west of DaNang. By his courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Major Terhorst was instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.