The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Frederick M. Rivers, Jr. (MCSN: 0-91634), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMM-163), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 22 August 1968, Captain Rivers launched as Aircraft Commander aboard a UH-34 transport helicopter assigned an emergency medical evacuation in support of a reconnaissance team that was heavily engaged with a large North Vietnamese Army force southwest of DaNang. Arriving over the designated location, Captain Rivers was informed that the site was receiving a heavy volume of enemy grenades and automatic weapons fire and that the only available landing zone was outside the hill top outpost’s defensive wire. Disregarding his own safety, Captain Rivers began his approach to the landing zone through the intense enemy fire and, unable to land due to the restricted size of the position, skillfully placed one wheel of his landing gear in a trench line and commenced hovering the helicopter. With calm presence of mind, he resolutely maintained his precarious position for ten minutes while the wounded Marine was embarked, ignoring the hostile rounds that impacted near his aircraft, he lifted from the fire-swept site and rapidly departed the hazardous area. His heroic actions and outstanding airmanship were instrumental in saving the life of a fellow Marine. By his bold initiative, superior aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Captain Rivers upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.