The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Stephen T. Palmason (MCSN: 0-95621), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron SIX (VMO-6), Provisional Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Nine, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 25 November 1968, First Lieutenant Palmason launched as Pilot aboard an O-1 Birddog observation aircraft on a routine reconnaissance mission when he monitored a request for support from a Marine company that had sustained several casualties while heavily engaged with a large North Vietnamese Army force. Arriving over the designated area, he found that weather conditions would prevent fixed wing air strikes and the only other aircraft available were two CH-46 transport helicopters which had already arrived after monitoring the distress call. The two aircraft were delivering suppressive .50 caliber machine gun fire upon the hostile unit. Unhesitatingly joining the helicopters in their efforts to aid the Marines, First Lieutenant Palmason, who was unarmed and carrying only smoke rockets and smoke grenades, made several simulated bombing runs over the enemy targets and marked various hostile positions with his grenades to aid the gunners aboard the CH-46’s. When the pilot of the lead helicopter had exhausted his ammunition and decided to attempt to extract the casualties under covering fire provided by his wingman, who had only one hundred rounds of ammunition remaining. First Lieutenant Palmason fearlessly maneuvered his aircraft between the enemy held ridgeline and the landing zone. With complete disregard for his own safety, he ignored the hostile rounds directed at his aircraft as he provided a smoke screen by dropping his smoke rockets in such a way that the landing zone was hidden from the view of the enemy for several minutes. When the second CH-46’s ammunition was expended, First Lieutenant Palmason continued making runs over the hostile positions and drawing the enemy fire away from the evacuation helicopter, thereby contributing significantly to the successful extraction of several wounded Marines. By his courage, superb aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, First Lieutenant Palmason upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.