The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Mack E. Mitchell (MCSN: 0-57303), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO (HMM-262), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Nine, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 27 November 1968, Captain Mitchell launched as Section Leader in a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned to insert an eight-man reconnaissance team in a mountainous section of Quang Tri Province. Fifteen minutes after the insertion, the team reported it was in heavy contact with a hostile force, had suffered three casualties, and required immediate extraction. Encountering an extremely heavy volume of enemy mortar and machine gun fire, he aborted his first extraction attempt and instructed the team to move to a more feasible pick-up site. Coordinating his second approach with the fire of supporting gunships, Captain Mitchell skillfully maneuvered to a landing near the beleaguered Marines and completely disregarded his own safety as he fearlessly remained in his dangerously exposed position until all the team except a mortally wounded Marine were embarked. Departing the hazardous area, he proceeded to the medical facility at Quang Tri. Resolutely determined to retrieve the fatally injured Marine despite approaching darkness and the danger of maneuvering in hazardous mountain terrain while under hostile fire, Captain Mitchell launched with thirteen-man recovery team and quickly moved to the area. Undaunted by the intensity of the enemy fire directed against his CH-46, he boldly maneuvered to a landing, disembarked the team, and lifted out of the fire-swept area to establish an orbit above the zone. When informed that the fallen Marine had been retrieved, Captain Mitchell again braved the heavy volume of hostile fire as he skillfully executed evasive maneuvers to land, embark the recovery team with the casualty, and depart the dangerous area. By his courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal risk, Captain Mitchell upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.