The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Paul Howard Courtney (MCSN: 0-88591), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMM-363), Marine Aircraft Group SIXTEEN (MAG-16), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, on 13 April 1967, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Leading a flight of two helicopters, Captain Courtney was assigned a night emergency medical evacuation mission of seven seriously wounded Army of the Republic of Vietnam personnel at a Special Forces outpost at Thong Duc. Despite low clouds, lightning and thunderstorms, he unhesitatingly launched from Marble Mountain Air Facility and, navigating by instruments and radios, proceeded to the zone. When his wingman host visual contact with the flight, Captain Courtney directed him to return to a clear area and await further instructions. Displaying superior airmanship and uncommon courage, he fearlessly continued his mission, guiding his aircraft through the turbulent clouds and rain to the outpost where an accompanying flare ship dropped illumination flares to mark the landing zone. Because of the dense clouds, however, illumination flares proved ineffective and Captain Courtney alerted his crew to prepare for a descent through the cloud layer in an attempt to establish visual contact with the ground forces. Observing that the landing zone was marked by jeep headlights and hand flares, he skillfully maneuvered his aircraft at treetop level over enemy territory to the outpost. Although the ground forces reported they had not received enemy fire for twenty minutes, the aircraft came under enemy ground fire as it approached the zone. Reluctantly, Captain Courtney ordered his helicopter crew to refrain from delivering suppressive fire because of the proximity of the enemy to friendly forces. Upon landing, Captain Courtney waited in the fire-swept zone while the Corpsman assisted in loading the casualties into the aircraft. Demonstrating exceptional airmanship and sound judgment, Captain Courtney safely lifted from the area and departed the landing zone even though his aircraft had been hit near the main fuel cell and was dangerously low on fuel. He quickly climbed through the clouds to avoid the mountains and flew by instruments to the DaNang Airfield where the wounded were delivered to a medical facility. His daring and heroic actions under extremely adverse flying conditions undoubtedly saved the lives of the Vietnamese casualties and ensured the completion of the mission. By his steadfast determination, exceptional aeronautical skill and selfless devotion to duty, Captain Courtney upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.