The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Paul William Niesen (MCSN: 0-51752), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Commanding Officer of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-161), Provisional Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Nine, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 17 July 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Niesen, commander of the helicopter assault portion of Operation LANCASTER II, had returned to his base after inserting a seven-man reconnaissance team to prepare a landing zone, when he received an urgent request to extract the team which had become heavily engaged and surrounded by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force and had suffered four casualties. Arriving over the beleaguered Marines, he directed gunship rocket and strafing attacks against hostile positions, and then, completely disregarding his own safety, he maneuvered his CH-46 helicopter through intense enemy fire and landed next to the Marines. Undaunted by the heavy volume of North Vietnamese fire that severely damaged his helicopter, Lieutenant Colonel Niesen steadfastly remained in the fire-swept area until all the team had embarked and then skillfully lifted his aircraft out of the hazardous area, expeditiously departing for the medical facility at Dong Ha. Returning to Quang Tri, he obtained another CH-46 helicopter and assumed command of the vertical assault group. Proceeding to the pick up zone, he embarked the assigned Marines and led his assault force of sixteen helicopters to the landing zone. Leading the first flight of four aircraft into the zone, he encountered a heavy volume of enemy mortar and automatic weapons fire which inflicted extensive battle damage to his helicopter while on the ground. Displaying exceptional composure and aeronautical ability, he skillfully maneuvered his CH-46 out of the dangerous zone and returned to his base. His fearless initiative and superb leadership inspired all who observed him and contributed immeasurably to the successful accomplishment of his mission. By his courage, superior airmanship and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lieutenant Colonel Niesen upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.