The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Charles Herbert Frederic Egger (MCSN: 0-63656), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-361), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early evening hours of 10 September 1967, Major Egger launched as the Flight Leader of four UH-34 transport helicopters and two armed UH-1E helicopters assigned an emergency re-supply and medical evacuation mission to a Marine battalion heavily engaged with a reinforced North Vietnamese Army regiment southwest of Con Thien. Arriving over the area, he learned that the intense hostile artillery, mortar, small arms and automatic weapons fire and rocket attack had caused the battalion to separate into two elements, with perimeters and landing zones 200 yards apart, which were both in danger of being overrun by the numerically superior enemy force. Displaying exceptional aeronautical ability and resolute determination, Major Egger, undaunted by the heavy volume of North Vietnamese fire and the lack of close support from his gunships due to the proximity of friendly ground troops, skillfully flew his aircraft behind masking terrain and executed a high speed, low level approach that enabled him to land in the command post perimeter. Despite the increasing volume of hostile fire, he steadfastly remained in the zone to unload his ammunition supply and embark a seriously wounded Marine, subsequently departing the area for the Dong Ha medical facility after briefing the remainder of the flight on the ground situation and the most effective approach into the landing zone. Although he had already completed nine hours of flight that day and relief was available, Major Egger responded immediately when informed that the western perimeter of the beleaguered battalion was still under direct attack and in urgent need of ammunition and evacuation of its casualties. Unhesitatingly, he again led his flight on an emergency mission, utilizing his valuable knowledge of the terrain and the ground situation. Arriving over the area in darkness, rain and a low overcast that restricted visibility, he extinguished his aircraft lights and made his approach to the western landing zone. Fully realizing the danger to his helicopter and crew, he turned on a light upon request, enabling ground personnel to accurately guide his aircraft into the zone. Immediately, the North Vietnamese delivered heavy automatic weapons fire followed by a mortar barrage that bracketed his aircraft, but Major Egger, displaying outstanding courage and composure, steadfastly remained in the zone to unload the ammunition supply, despite the hostile fire that struck his helicopter. Skillfully maneuvering his aircraft at low level in the darkness in an attempt to avoid the extremely heavy volume of enemy fire, he succeeded in lifting out of the area. Informed of his aircraft’s extensive battle damage, which seriously affected the helicopter’s capability to remain airborne, he ascended and calmly flew his crippled aircraft on a course over friendly positions, ensuring the availability of a secure landing zone should an emergency arise en route back to Dong Ha. Due largely to his fearless leadership and composure under enemy fire, his flight was able to deliver over 5,000 pounds of critically needed ammunition that enabled the Marines to successfully repulse the North Vietnamese attacks and undoubtedly saved several seriously wounded men from further pain, injury or possible death through timely medical evacuation. By his superior airmanship, courage and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Major Egger was instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.