The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Robert William Romero (MCSN: 0-93402), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-165), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 29 March 1968, Captain Romero launched as Aircraft Commander aboard the second aircraft in a flight of four CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the mission of inserting a United States Army Special Forces unit and Vietnamese Rangers deep in hostile territory, east of the Ashau Valley. Arriving over the designated area, he commenced his approach to the zone but was forced to abort the landing and return to Phu Bai when one of his passengers was seriously wounded by enemy ground fire. Subsequently informed that the friendly unit was surrounded and in danger of being overrun by a large hostile force, Captain Romero embarked additional reinforcements and unhesitatingly returned to the hazardous area. As he approached the landing zone, heavy enemy fire severely damaged his aircraft, forcing him to crash-land in the zone. Immediately exiting the helicopter, Captain Romero joined the ground unit and assisted in manning a portion of the defensive perimeter until the following morning when the unit moved to a possible extraction site. During the eight-hour movement, he directed air strikes against the hostile positions and assisted in carrying a Marine who had been killed during the night. Arriving at a relatively secure landing zone, he coordinated the medical evacuation of casualties and expedited the extraction of all personnel. His heroic actions and presence of mind under fire contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the mission and the rescue of his crew from the hazardous area. By his courage, superb aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty despite extreme personal danger, Captain Romero upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.