The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Donald J. Meskan (MCSN: 0-76109), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (HMM-262), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 15 September 1969, Major Meskan launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency medical evacuation of casualties from a Marine company which was heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force of undetermined size two miles north of the Rockpile in Quang Tri Province. Arriving over the designated area, he found that despite coordinated friendly artillery fire, gunship attacks, and air strikes on suspected enemy emplacements, the beleaguered Marines’ position on top of a barren knoll continued to receive intense hostile mortar and small arms fire. Boldly maneuvering his aircraft on a low-altitude flight over the fire-swept hill, Major Meskan selected and notified the friendly unit of an extraction site in a defilade position on the southern slope of the knoll. Directing his wingman to execute an approach toward a nearby hill in a feint to deceive the enemy, he then utilized the cover of artillery fire and a smoke screen as he skillfully maneuvered to a partial hover at the pick-up site. Only one Marine was able to be placed aboard before concentrated hostile mortar fire forced him to lift out of the hazardous area. After transporting his patient to the Vandegrift Combat Base, he resolutely returned to the embattled company. Undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of enemy fire directed at his CH-16, Major Meskan jettisoned some of his fuel to minimize weight, instructed the supporting gunships to provide suppressive fire, and fearlessly maneuvered his helicopter to a landing with only its nose wheel touching the ground and the rotor blades just inches from the sloping hillside. Oblivious to the mortar rounds impacting near his aircraft, he gallantly remained in his precarious position until six wounded Marines had been placed aboard but was then forced to lift out of the area because of the intense hostile fire. Expertly utilizing deceptive maneuvers, he landed in the dangerous area a third time, extracted the remaining thirteen casualties, and then departed for the hospital ship off shore. By his courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Major Meskan upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.