The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Cecil Aubrey Garner (MCSN: 1306811), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMM-163) in the Republic of Vietnam, on 31 March 1965. Sergeant Garner was acting as crew chief aboard a Marine Helicopter. This aircraft was part of a seventeen plane flight whose mission was to transport Republic of Vietnam forces in an assault landing. After three successive assault landings in a zone subjected to intense and accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire, the aircraft was shot down. Sergeant Garner, although suffering from serious leg wounds, dismounted his M-60 machine gun, crawled away from the aircraft and began firing at Viet Cong positions. Through his efforts, an enemy machine gun nest was neutralized, aiding rescuers to reach and evacuate, under fire, the wounded pilot from his downed aircraft. When Sergeant Garner was evacuated by rescue personnel and placed inside another helicopter, he continued to engage the enemy by manning a M-60 machine gun until he collapsed from exhaustion and the effects of his wounds. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of personal risk, Sergeant Garner upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.