The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Roy H. Hagerty (MCSN: 0-94171), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMM-263), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 19 March 1969, First Lieutenant Hagerty launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency medical evacuation of several casualties sustained by a Marine platoon which was heavily engaged with a hostile force west of DaNang in Quang Nam Province. Although cloud-cover over the designated location was very dense and the Marine unit on the ground, which was located in a bomb crater, was surrounded by enemy soldiers, First Lieutenant Hagerty skillfully executed an approach and successfully landed in the zone. Immediately upon landing the aircraft came under a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire and sustained extensive battle damage. After destroying classified equipment aboard the helicopter and stripping it of all armament, First Lieutenant Hagerty fearlessly led his men across the hazardous terrain to the bomb crater. Observing a shortage of ammunition, he completely disregarded his own safety as he retraced his steps and obtained the ammunition remaining aboard the aircraft. Utilizing the platoon’s radio, he directed his wingman into the zone, but, as the helicopter landed, it too was rendered inoperable by hostile fire and three members of the crew were seriously injured. Boldly leading three companions to the second downed aircraft, he assisted the casualties to disembark and remained dangerously exposed to the hostile fire as he stripped the helicopter of a usable armament and ammunition. For the next several hours, First Lieutenant Hagerty skillfully coordinated the activities of gunships and fixed wing aircraft in their attempts to destroy enemy gun emplacements surrounding the bomb crater before directing the landing of a third transport aircraft which had arrived overhead. After supervising the embarkation of the most critically wounded Marines, he remained behind to coordinate the remaining air cover until the following morning when another CH-46 was able to safely land and remove the remaining casualties. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of numerous fellow Marines. By his courage, superb leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, First Lieutenant Hagerty contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the evacuation mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.