The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Bruce John Ross (MCSN: 0-91160), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron SIX (VMO-6), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, on 11 November 1966 in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. As the pilot of an armed HU-1E helicopter, First Lieutenant Ross was assigned to escort a UH-34D transport helicopter on a medical evacuation mission in support of a South Korean Marine force engaged in a fierce fire fight in an area ten miles went of Quang Ngai. Informed that the landing zone was receiving heavy enemy fire and realizing that the friendly forces were in close proximity to the enemy, the pilot of the transport aircraft requested the ground troops to provide all possible fire suppression as a strafing attempt was too hazardous. While the UH-34D pilot made his approach to the landing zone, First Lieutenant Ross flew his aircraft at tree-top altitude in a series of dummy runs in an attempt to distract the enemy fire from the transport. Nevertheless, the transport received severe damage as it landed and was forced to abort the mission and return to Quang Ngai Airfield. After requesting the assistance of another medical evacuation aircraft and determining the location of the friendly units, First Lieutenant Ross began a series of rocket and strafing attacks on the enemy, expending most of his ammunition. He then elected to attempt the evacuation of a seriously wounded man. Courageously, he entered the zone through intense enemy fire and landed in the same area where the transport had been damaged. Almost immediately he came under a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire from enemy positions, only a few hundred feet away. Completely exposed to the intense enemy fire, First Lieutenant Ross courageously held his position while the Korean Marines used the helicopter for a shield as they carried their wounded comrade to the aircraft. Simultaneously, the aircraft gunner stood in the open doorway to deliver a continuous stream of fire from his M-60 machine gun while the crew chief leaped over the aircraft’s armament system to assist in loading the wounded man aboard the helicopter. Departing the zone through a heavy volume of fire, First Lieutenant Ross delivered the seriously wounded man to a transport helicopter waiting at the Quang Ngai Airfield. After refueling his aircraft and evaluating the battle damage to his helicopter, he returned to the evacuation area. After arriving over the area, he competently organized and relayed requests for air support from the ground unit and was instrumental in marking the friendly and enemy positions for the Forward Air Controller (Airborne) when he arrived on station. By his heroic actions and complete disregard for his own safety, he undoubtedly saved the life of the critically wounded man and aided in relieving the pressure on the Korean Marine unit. By his gallant fighting spirit, outstanding airmanship, and courageous determination under the most adverse conditions, First Lieutenant Ross upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.