The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant John D. Cauble, Jr. (MCSN: 1511999), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO (HMM-262), Provisional Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Nine, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 25 January 1968, Staff Sergeant Cauble launched as Aerial Gunner aboard a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned an emergency medical evacuation mission on Hill 881 near the Khe Sanh Combat Base. Proceeding to the designated area, the pilot was informed that although Hill 881 was under heavy enemy automatic weapons fire, the casualty was ready to be extracted. After the pilot landed in the zone, two Marines began leading a casualty, whose head and eyes were covered with bandages, toward the helicopter when the entire landing zone came under intense .50 caliber machine gun fire, causing the two men to drop to the ground. Observing the blindfolded casualty attempting to reach the aircraft unassisted, the crew chief departed the aircraft to aid the wounded man. After pulling the casualty to the relative safety of a nearby crater, the two Marines were unable to leave their position due to the injured Marine’s inability to see and the depth of the crater. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Staff Sergeant Cauble unhesitatingly exited the helicopter, advanced through the intense .50 caliber machine gun fire and assisted in removing the casualty from the crater. Immediately subjected to a heavy volume of hostile fire, Staff Sergeant Cauble and the crew chief selflessly used their bodies to protect the injured man from further injury. As the enemy fire shifted, they carried their wounded comrade the remaining fifteen yards to the helicopter, despite the hostile fire striking all around them. As the aircraft lifted from the zone, Staff Sergeant Cauble manned his .50 caliber machine gun and delivered effective suppressive fire on the enemy positions. His heroic actions undoubtedly saved the wounded Marine’s life and inspired all who observed him. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Staff Sergeant Cauble upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.