The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Howard D. Gress, Jr. (MCSN: 0-603053), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN (HML-367), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the afternoon of 8 June 1969, Major Gress launched as Section Leader of a flight of two armed UH-1E helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the emergency extraction of a six-man Marine reconnaissance team that was heavily engaged in combat with a North Vietnamese Army force in a densely-jungled, mountainous section of Quang Tri Province. Arriving over the designated area, Major Gress found that the patrol was being pursued by the enemy while moving up the slopes of a mountain to a suitable landing zone. Unhesitatingly, he coordinated his attacks with that of a supporting OV-10 aircraft and delivered such effective suppressive fire that the Marines were able to reach the extraction site. When the team became surrounded and pinned down by intense hostile fire, Major Gress, undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of fire directed against his aircraft, skillfully maneuvered his gunship on repeated rocket and strafing runs and delivered his ordnance with such effectiveness on all sides of the landing zone that a transport helicopter was able to approach the beleaguered Marines’ position. When the CH-46 touched down, it immediately came under hostile fire which disabled one engine and forced it to abort its extraction attempt. With complete disregard for his own safety, Major Gress boldly executed low-altitude strafing runs which enabled the crippled aircraft to depart the hazardous area. After refueling and rearming his UH-1E at the Vandegrift Combat Base, he resolutely returned to the dangerous area after nightfall and, when informed that no transport helicopters would be available for the extraction during the night, elected to attempt the extraction. Jettisoning all non-essential equipment and orbiting the area to use fuel and thus further lighten the aircraft, Major Gress fearlessly maneuvered to a hover above the embattled Marines. At once, his gunship came under an extremely heavy volume of fire, twenty rounds of which struck and severely damaged his helicopter. Fighting to maintain control of his vibrating gunship, he skillfully maneuvered his aircraft out of the perilous area, proceeded to the Vandegrift Combat Base, and executed an emergency landing. Major Gress’ courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in preventing the reconnaissance team from being overrun and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.