The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Theodore W. Rostad (MCSN: 1876996), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXXTY THREE (HMM-163), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam on 31 March 1965. As crew chief of the lead aircraft in the second division of a seventeen plane flight, Corporal Rostad made three combat assault landings while carrying Vietnamese troops into battle against an estimated two companies of insurgent communist (Viet Cong) guerrillas who were entrenched in prepared and well camouflaged positions. Each landing was met by heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire which scored several damaging hits. In spite of the extreme danger, Corporal Rostad calmly assisted the troops in disembarking while delivering accurate supporting fire from his machine gun. As his helicopter was lifting after the third landing, Corporal Rostad informed his pilot that another helicopter was still on the ground unable to take off. Returning through intense fire, his aircraft landed for a fourth time to aid the downed crew. Displaying complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Rostad raced forty meters through heavily concentrated enemy automatic weapons fire and assisted a wounded crewman to the safety of his own aircraft. As the intensity of enemy fire increased, Corporal Rostad fearlessly returned across the bullet swept rice paddy to assist in the rescue of the wounded pilot who lay tangled at the controls of the aircraft. Courageously exposing himself for approximately three minutes, Corporal Rostad waited by the side of the disabled helicopter until the pilot could be freed and handed down to him by a fellow crew member. By his daring and selfless actions in the face of great personal risk, Corporal Rostad was instrumental in insuring the safety of his own aircraft and in saving the lives of his fellow Marines. His actions throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.