The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Donnal Edward Hiltbrunner (MCSN: 0-80851), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Bombardier/Navigator of an A6A Intruder Aircraft with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE (VMA(AW)-533), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on the night of 27 October 1967. Assigned the mission of penetrating deep into the enemy’s formidable defensive periphery in order to lay mines in the river flowing below the span which serves both the principal northern access to the city of Hanoi and a key link in the main supply artery connecting that city with Communist China, Captain Hiltbrunner expertly and confidently navigated his aircraft as it pierced the enemy’s fighter patrol and early warning radar network. Employing his radars and navigation equipment, he directed the pilot in a descent and subsequent perilous low altitude dash through the enemy’s outer surface-to-air missile rings. Despite sporadic concentrations of enemy anti-aircraft fire, the threat of surface-to-air missiles and the inherent dangers of high speed, low altitude, instrument flight, he calmly and successfully vectored the pilot to the initial attack point. As the aircraft was detected by enemy radar, they were completely engulfed in anti-aircraft fire. Undaunted, Captain Hiltbrunner directed the pilot toward the target and directly into the staggering volume of tracer fire and air bursts. As the aircraft neared the release point, it was taken under a vicious stream of crossfire. Completely ignoring the personal dangers involved and almost certain disaster to the aircraft, Captain Hiltbrunner vectored the pilot through the critical final phase of delivery as the aircraft miraculously pressed through the perilous area and released the mines on target. By his bold initiative, dauntless courage and loyal devotion to duty, Captain Hiltbrunner reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.