The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Gary Alan Lucus (MCSN: 1859141), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Aerial Gunner with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-265), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 15 July 1966. During Operation HASTINGS, Sergeant Lucus was aboard the second helicopter in an eight aircraft flight on a mission to reinforce the initial helicopter assault landing which took place earlier in the day near Dong Ha. Approximately one mile from the landing zone, both aircraft in the first section came under intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons and 12.7-mm. machine gun fire which struck Sergeant Lucus’ helicopter, causing it to burst into flames. Dense smoke and flames quickly filled the cabin, forcing the pilot to make a blind approach toward a known Marine position. Reacting instantly, Sergeant Lucus assisted the crew chief in an attempt to extinguish the flames, only to be driven back by the intense heat. Realizing that the pilot could not see to land because of the thick smoke, he courageously braved the intense heat to position himself in the entrance to the pilot’s compartment in an attempt to prevent additional fire and smoke from blinding them. When the helicopter crash-landed and rolled on its side, without regard for his own safety, Sergeant Lucus remained in the burning aircraft to assist survivors among the crew and twelve passengers. Observing the crew chief lying near the door with one leg pinned under the aircraft, he vainly tried to free his comrade. Momentarily leaving his companion to render assistance to another Marine, he made his way back to the man who was still alive, picked him up and started forward to the emergency escape hatch when exploding ammunition knocked them both to the deck, killing the wounded man. Working feverishly in the flaming and exploding wreckage, Sergeant Lucus returned to make a second valiant attempt to free the crew chief, but soon realized that the man had died. When he could find no additional survivors, he made his way to the pilot’s compartment, crawled out of the emergency hatch and moved to a safe position. Within minutes he was discovered by Marines near the zone in a state of shock and suffering from severe burns. By his uncommon concern for the welfare of his companions, bold initiative, exceptional courage and loyal devotion to duty, Sergeant Lucus upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.