The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain David W. Ariss (MCSN: 0-82292), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-265), in the Republic of Vietnam on 8 February 1968. Captain Ariss was launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned a troop transport mission in support of the Americal Division. While proceeding toward the designated landing zone, southwest of DaNang, he was monitoring his aircraft’s radio and learned that a Combined Action Platoon was under attack by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force two miles south of DaNang and had nearly expended its supply of ammunition. Rapidly establishing radio contact with armed helicopters supporting the beleaguered platoon, Captain Ariss unhesitatingly volunteered to attempt an emergency extraction of the unit. After delivering the Americal Division soldiers to their assigned area, he proceeded to the Combined Action Platoon’s location and orbited his helicopter overhead while fixed-wing aircraft executed their last bomb run. Captain Ariss immediately came under intense enemy anti-aircraft fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, he skillfully maneuvered his helicopter through the hostile fire while simultaneously pinpointing the location of the enemy weapons for the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne). Landing in the unit’s compound, he calmly waited in the fire-swept zone while 25 Marines and Popular Forces soldiers embarked aboard his aircraft. Lifting from the hazardous area, he delivered the wounded men to a medical facility and returned to his base with the remaining passengers. His exceptional aeronautical ability and sincere concern for the welfare of his comrades were an inspiration to all who observed him and were instrumental in preventing the friendly unit from being overrun. By his courage, superb airmanship and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Captain Ariss upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.