The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Richard L. Herrington (MCSN: 0-103562), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN (HML-167), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen (MAG-16), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 31 December 1969, First Lieutenant Herrington launched as Section Leader of a flight of two armed UH-1E helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the insertion of a six-man reconnaissance team deep in enemy-controlled territory. Arriving over the designated area, he executed a series of low-altitude passes over the proposed landing zone located in tall elephant grass and then directed supporting Cobra gunships to attack the surrounding area in preparation for the landing. Shortly after the friendly patrol had disembarked, it came under extremely heavy fire from three sides by a large North Vietnamese Army force, elements of which had moved to within twenty feet of the team. Reacting instantly, First Lieutenant Herrington, undaunted by the intensity of the hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire directed at his aircraft, fearlessly maneuvered his gunship on repeated rocket and strafing runs and delivered his ordnance with such precision that the first enemy assault was repelled. After directing that an immediate extraction of the beleaguered patrol be attempted, he was informed that the North Vietnamese were launching a second assault. Alertly coordinating the strikes of supporting gunships, First Lieutenant Herrington completely disregarded his own safety as he boldly maneuvered his own helicopter on repeated firing runs against the advancing enemy. Ignoring the numerous hostile rounds which struck his gunship, he valiantly continued his attacks and delivered his ordnance to within ten feet of the embattled patrol with such devastating effectiveness that the second enemy attack was repulsed and the hostile fire was suppressed sufficiently to enable the transport helicopter to enter the precarious area and extract the reconnaissance team. By his dauntless courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, First Lieutenant Herrington upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.