The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain William Austin Knight (MCSN: 0-93963), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO (HMM-362), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 26 September 1968, Captain Knight launched as Aircraft Commander aboard a UH-34 transport helicopter assigned to evacuate a seriously wounded member of a reconnaissance team which was heavily engaged with a large enemy force southwest of DaNang. Arriving over the designated area, he alertly located the small landing zone and was informed that the team’s position was surrounded by enemy soldiers and rapidly becoming untenable. Quickly assessing the situation, Captain Knight swiftly requested and received permission to extract the entire patrol. Under the covering fire of an OV-10 observation aircraft and an armed UH-1E helicopter gunship, he fearlessly maneuvered his aircraft toward the landing zone which was receiving sporadic hostile mortar fire. After aborting his initial attempt due to the heavy volume of enemy fire, he expertly landed the UH-34, and completely disregarding his own safety, he steadfastly remained in the hazardous area, until the Marines were embarked. Displaying outstanding airmanship, he skillfully lifted his overloaded and battle damage helicopter out of the hazardous area and departed the fire-swept zone. By his courage, superior aeronautical ability and unfaltering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Captain Knight contributed significantly to saving the lives of ten Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.