The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major [then Captain] Donald Michael Babitz (MCSN: 0-73760), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-165), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 14 November 1966, Major Babitz launched as Flight Leader of two CH-46A transport helicopters on an emergency extraction mission of an eleven-man Special Forces reconnaissance team in Kontum Province. While working deep in enemy controlled territory, the team’s location had been compromised and the unit was being pursued by the enemy. Despite the high mountains, dense jungle and adverse flying conditions, the beleaguered team was sighted late in the afternoon in a narrow ravine which afforded no possible landing site. Realizing a hoist extraction was necessary, Major Babitz jettisoned precious fuel to lighten his load for the high altitude hover and slowly moved in, flying over the treetops until he was hovering directly over the team. When it became apparent that the 150-foot hoist cable was not long enough to reach the ground unit, Major Babitz, ignoring the obvious flying hazards, decided to hover his aircraft below the high jungle canopy. With the guidance of his crew, he skillfully maneuvered the helicopter down an additional seventy-five feet, at times shredding the foliage with his rotors as he literally cut his way to the secondary canopy of trees 125 feet above the team. While he maintained a steady hover, his crew members began the tedious task of hoisting the eleven men aboard. With only half the team aboard, Major Babitz realized the hovering power required was exhausting his fuel supply and he would soon have insufficient fuel to make the return trip. Informing the airborne controller of his situation, Major Babitz was instructed to return to base and allow his wingman to complete the extraction. Fully realizing the risk involved for the second aircraft to repeat his descent into the trees, Major Babitz refused to abandon the team. Courageously electing to accept the apparent hazards in order to complete his mission, Major Babitz instructed his wingman to return to base and obtain fuel drums and a hand pump. Committed now to a forced landing in hostile territory, he continued his motionless hovering for twenty-five minutes. As the last two men boarded the rescue seat, one of them reported that enemy troops were moving into the zone. With the two men dangling nearly seventy-five feet below on the hoist cable, Major Babitz began to climb into the clouds as the two men were hoisted aboard. With fuel running dangerously low, he began his descent toward the valley floor in what appeared to be impossible terrain. Finding a small knoll, he skillfully landed the helicopter and found his aircraft enveloped in fifteen-foot elephant grass and bamboo. Remaining by his radio to maintain contact with support aircraft in the area, Major Babitz directed his crew to cut away the high foliage from the rotor system. Guided by the helicopter’s top rotating beacon, his wingman soon returned and dropped the emergency fuel and a hand pump. With the refueling accomplished, Major Babitz lifted out of the dangerous area and successfully completed the rescue mission. Throughout, his undaunted determination to complete a dangerous mission and heroic actions against almost insurmountable barriers were an inspiration to all who observed him and undoubtedly saved the lives of the Special Forces reconnaissance team. By his exceptional aeronautical ability, valor, sound judgment and selfless devotion to duty, Major Babitz upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.