The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Jack E. Hawley (MCSN: 0-91575), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Naval Flight Officer with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED FORTY-TWO (VMA(AW)-242), in connection with operations against the enemy. On 18 February 1968, Captain Hawley launched as the Bombardier/Navigator aboard an A-6 Intruder aircraft on a night bombing mission against an airfield near Hanoi in North Vietnam. Realizing that the target was heavily defended by numerous radar-controlled anti-aircraft weapons and surface-to-air missiles, he assisted in the selection of an approach route and the coordination of the mission with supporting interceptor and electronic countermeasures aircraft to minimize the hazards from anti-aircraft fire and enemy missiles encountered by previous strike aircraft. Utilizing his complex navigation systems, he assisted his pilot in maneuvering the aircraft over hazardous mountains and uncharted terrain. Suddenly, his instruments disclosed that an enemy missile had been launched against his aircraft. Remaining calm, he assisted the pilot in executing evasive maneuvers as the missile harmlessly passed the aircraft and aided the pilot in evading four additional missiles as the aircraft neared the target. Upon acquiring the airfield, Captain Hawley relayed the attack information to the pilot, guiding him to the precise ordnance release point. After the bombs were delivered with pinpoint accuracy, he piloted an escape route at low altitude, fearlessly disregarding intense anti-aircraft fire, and assisted his pilot in eluding a hostile interceptor aircraft which had been tracking his aircraft. He then provided precise navigation information to assist the pilot in rendezvousing with a tanker aircraft for refueling before the return flight to DaNang Air Base. By his superior airmanship, dauntless courage and loyal devotion to duty under the most demanding flight conditions, Captain Hawley 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.