The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Donald Eugene Beaver (MCSN: 1201018), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Crew Chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-164), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 2 September 1966, Gunnery Sergeant Beaver’s CH-46 helicopter was engaged as part of a mission to insert an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team and a security platoon into an area where two bombs, dropped earlier, had failed to explode. The two helicopters came under heavy small arms fire during the first approach. During the approach and subsequent wave off, Gunnery Sergeant Beaver provided accurate suppressive fire which killed at least two Viet Cong. Artillery fire was called in to neutralize the area, but, on the second approach, heavy fire was again encountered. At an altitude of 100 feet, numerous rounds penetrated the aircraft wounding two of the embarked Marines. As the helicopter was flaring for its landing, a violent explosion rocket it and it fell uncontrollably from twenty-five feet to the ground. It came to rest in a tail high configuration and immediately burst into flames. Thrown forward upon impact, Gunnery Sergeant Beaver sustained a painful wound to his left arm, nevertheless he quickly realized that many of the other men were badly wounded and began helping them evacuate the wreckage. Knowing that, at any moment, the ruptured fuel cells could explode Gunnery Sergeant Beaver reentered the burning aircraft three times to drag his unconscious comrades from danger. Moving the Marines away from the burning helicopter, he assisted in forming a perimeter defense to protect against enemy attack until the other aircraft could land to evacuate them. Once it landed, Gunnery Sergeant Beaver repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to lift wounded men into the helicopter. Manning a machine gun, he delivered suppressive fire as the aircraft lifted out of the zone. After the aircraft had delivered its final load of casualties to a field hospital, he refused to leave until a return trip was completed and all of the Marines in the embattled area were evacuated. Only after this was accomplished did he allow himself to be treated at the field hospital for his own injuries. His numerous acts of heroism were an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of the mission. By his uncommon valor, tireless efforts and selfless devotion to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Beaver upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.