The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Richard P. Hardin (MCSN: 0-94172), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the afternoon of 7 February 1969, First Lieutenant Hardin launched as Wingman in a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency medical evacuation of casualties from a unit heavily engaged with a hostile force in Quang Nam Province. When the section leader’s aircraft came under intense enemy fire, it sustained extensive battle damage and crashed in enemy controlled territory. Undaunted by the heavy overcast and rain which severely limited visibility and the extremely heavy volume of hostile small arms, automatic weapons, and machine gun fire, First Lieutenant Hardin fearlessly maneuvered his helicopter in an approach to the crash site to determine the fate of the crew. Forced to abort his approach due to the intensity of the enemy fire, he completely disregarded his own safety as he resolutely maneuvered his CH-46 through the hail of hostile fire on a second approach to report the location of the downed aircraft. When a friendly force reached the downed aircraft and reported the need for equipment to free two survivors pinned in the wreckage, First Lieutenant Hardin proceeded to DaNang, embarked rescue equipment and personnel, quickly returned to the crash site, and steadfastly held his CH-46 in its dangerously exposed area on the ground to evacuate the injures Marines. Lifting out of the fire-swept area when the heavy volume of enemy fire rendered his position untenable, he established an orbit over the area to be available for any emergency. When a Marine in the ground force was seriously wounded and required immediate extraction, First Lieutenant Hardin resolutely volunteered to re-enter the perilous area. Skillfully executing a high speed approach through the intense hostile fire, h landed in the dangerous area, embarked the injured man, and departed for the nearest medical facility. By his courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, First Lieutenant Hardin upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.