The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Charles D. Perriguey, Jr. (MCSN: 0-111588), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN (HMM-367), 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 8 December 1969, First Lieutenant Perriguey launched as Wingman in a flight of two armed UH-1E helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the emergency extraction of an eight-man Army of the Republic of Vietnam reconnaissance team which had suffered three casualties, was surrounded, and was heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force deep in enemy controlled territory. Arriving over the designated area, he found that heavy rains and a ceiling of 200 feet would severely restrict visibility, and his area of maneuverability over the rugged mountain terrain. After thirty minutes of orbiting the area to determine the precise location of the beleaguered patrol, First Lieutenant Perriguey sighted and reported the location of the team. Undaunted by the intensity of the hostile fire directed at his aircraft, one round of which penetrated the cockpit, he boldly executed repeated rocket and strafing runs and delivered his ordnance with such devastating effectiveness that the enemy fire was temporarily suppressed. Realizing the urgency of extracting the embattled team, and aware that the flight’s three transport helicopters had been forced to abandon the rescue attempt because of their low fuel state, First Lieutenant Perriguey resolutely elected to join with his flight leader in extracting the patrol. After expending the remainder of his rockets and ammunition to cover the flight leader as he extracted the three Vietnamese casualties and one of the team members, First Lieutenant Perriguey jettisoned all unnecessary equipment to lighten his aircraft and ignored the extremely heavy volume of hostile fire as he commenced his approach to the landing zone. Despite injuries sustained when several enemy rounds struck his gunship and shattered his windscreen, First Lieutenant Perriguey landed in the zone and fearlessly remained in his precarious position until the remaining four Vietnamese had embarked. Expertly manipulating his controls, he lifted his heavily loaded helicopter out of the hazardous area and skillfully maneuvered his crippled aircraft to Quang Tri. By his courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal risk, First Lieutenant Perriguey was instrumental in saving the lives of the Vietnamese soldiers and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.