The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Paul D. Parker, II (MCSN: 0-102654), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMM-263), 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 31 January 1970, First Lieutenant Parker launched as Copilot aboard the lead aircraft in a flight of three CH-46 transport helicopters assigned to support a Marine heliborne assault mission in Quang Nam Province. Despite intense hostile fire directed at his aircraft, he skillfully monitored his instruments and provided a continuous flow of vital information which enabled his helicopter to be maneuvered to landings in fire-swept zones on three separate wave to disembark the assault teams, and, on two occasions to extract wounded Marines from unsecured areas. Later that day, his pilot responded to an urgent request to assist elements of a platoon which had inadvertently entered a minefield while attacking enemy positions along a tree line from which the Marines were receiving fire. Shortly after the men entered the minefield, three mines detonated, killing one Marine, wounding eleven others, and causing the remaining eight to hold their position for fear of detonating other mines. Boldly ignoring the sporadic sniper fire from the tree line, First Lieutenant Parker expertly provided precise instructions which enabled his pilot to land in a small area cleared by the explosion of one of the mines and hold his position until all the casualties in that area were embarked. Under his skilled directions, his helicopter was then air taxied fifty meters to the second group of Marines. Undaunted by the extremely hazardous conditions of maneuvering to a landing in an uncharted minefield with only his main mount touching a small cleared area, First Lieutenant Parker ably assisted his pilot at the controls and provided such explicit flight data that his helicopter was maneuvered to a safe landing. As the wounded were being placed aboard, another mine exploded, causing fragments to strike his aircraft’s rotor and aft pylon. Rapidly assessing the damage, First Lieutenant Parker reported no serious damage and then assisted his pilot in remaining in his precarious position until all of the Marines had embarked. By his courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, First Lieutenant Parker upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.