The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel John Robert Chaisson (MCSN: 0-7244), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, Third Marine Amphibious Force, in the Republic of Vietnam. During a period when certain Vietnamese forces were opposing Central Government forces, Colonel Chaisson displayed extreme courage and heroism on three separate occasions. On 9 April 1966, he landed by helicopter directly in front of two 155 millimeter howitzers which were in firing position, aimed at DaNang Air Base. Disregarding the danger to himself, he boldly served notice on the commander of the artillery force that, if he fired, he would jeopardize United States lives and installations and must stand prepared to suffer the consequences of such action. As this was occurring, armed Vietnamese aircraft, hostile to the artillery force, were making low passes over the position. On 19 May, Colonel Chaisson courageously led a small force of Marines onto a contested bridge which had charges in place, planted by forces opposing the Central Government. In spite of manifest tensions between opposing forces and after sporadic firing, he drove a jeep between the forces directly in front of a loaded machine gun, succeeding in the recovery of the bridge without bloodshed. On 20 May 1966, immediately after Vietnamese aircraft had strafed an opposition convoy, Colonel Chaisson landed by helicopter directly in front of a burning truck which then came under aircraft and tank fire while he was only thirty meters away. In spite of the grave danger involved, Chaisson remained in the area, supervising the evacuation of wounded Vietnamese, and convinced the officer in charge of the convoy that he should withdraw to prevent greater loss of life among the Vietnamese. By his courageous actions, exemplary leadership and inspiring devotion to duty, Colonel Chaisson upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.