The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Weldon Raymond Munter (MCSN: 0-59909), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron THREE (VMO-3), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 February 1968, Major Munter launched as Flight Leader of a division of four armed UH-1E helicopters escorting two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned an emergency external re-supply mission to an Army of the Republic of Vietnam compound south of Hue which was surrounded by a North Vietnamese Army force. Repeated attempts to re-supply the compound and evacuate its casualties had been unsuccessful due to the intense enemy fire. Despite extremely poor visibility and a low overcast, he proceeded to the area to control a preparatory artillery fire mission. When deteriorating weather conditions threatened to abort the mission, he deferred the fire mission and immediately directed the flight into the area with two gunships leading and two following the transport helicopters. Leading the flight into the zone, Major Munter fired white phosphorus rocket rounds into the enemy positions to screen the landing and directed the flight in attacks against hostile emplacements. Due largely to his skillful coordination of repeated rocket and strafing attacks, despite intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire that damaged four of the six helicopters, the supplies were successfully dropped into the beleaguered compound. When one of his gunships was severely damaged and the pilot was forced to land at a nearby friendly outpost, he quickly organized the rescue of the downed crew. By his courage, superior airmanship and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Major Munter was instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.