The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Mark A. Killian (MCSN: 2096431), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company D, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 7 June 1969, Sergeant Killian accompanied a twenty-man reaction force into a mountainous area of Quang Tri Province near the Demilitarized Zone to assist a reconnaissance team which was in heavy contact with a large North Vietnamese Army unit and had sustained casualties. When the reaction force neared the beleaguered unit, Sergeant Killian and four other men remained behind to provide security at a landing zone along the route the unit would have to use but, as he awaited the return of his companions, the landing zone came under a heavy volume of enemy fire. Displaying exceptional composure, Sergeant Killian fearlessly exposed himself to the hostile rounds impacting in the area to direct fixed wing air strikes against the North Vietnamese Army positions, thereby suppressing the fire. When the remainder of the reaction force was taken under fire, sustained several casualties, and started back toward the landing zone, he ably guided them to his position at the landing zone for extraction but when two medical evacuation helicopters attempted to land, they were both shot down by enemy machine gunners. One aircraft crashed and burned in an area over 800 meters from the landing zone; the second helicopter crashed near the landing zone and also burst into flames. Completely disregarding his own safety, Sergeant Killian boldly ran across the fire-swept terrain to the nearest helicopter and ignoring the flames and exploding aircraft ordinance, aided the crew to disembark and then led the men to a covered position. Since no further attempt to extract the group now numbering thirty-three, seven of whom were wounded, was possible at this time, a defensive perimeter was established. Throughout the night, hostile soldiers repeatedly launched probing attacks against the Marines, and Sergeant Killian, seemingly without fear of the hostile fire, constantly moved from one Marine position to another to encourage the men and ascertain the welfare of the casualties. The following morning, directed by radio to move to a landing zone 4,000 meters distant, the Marines commenced a treacherous descent down the steep mountain which was covered by a heavy growth of vegetation and, with difficulty, located a passable route which would accommodate the walking and those on stretchers. For the next three days, harassed by pursuing North Vietnamese Army soldiers and concerned by the critical condition of the injured Marines, Sergeant Killian alternately spent his time cutting a trail through the thick underbrush, assisting in carrying the stretchers, and moving among his companions to encourage them and maintain their confidence until the exhausted men attained their objective. His heroic actions and determined efforts inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of seven Marines. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Sergeant Killian contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.