The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Martin Eugene Salter, Jr. (MCSN: 0-62172), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMM-363), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 21 December 1967, Major Salter launched as Helicopter Aircraft Commander of a UH-34 transport helicopter on the first of six emergency medical evacuation missions. Arriving over the first landing zone, he displayed exceptional airmanship in descending to treetop level and maneuvering his aircraft at maximum airspeed in an effort to evade hostile fire. After landing in the restricted zone which was surrounded by 150 foot high trees, he quickly embarked the two seriously injured Marines and successfully maneuvered his helicopter out of the confined area. En route to the nearest medical facility, he was requested to evacuate a critically wounded Vietnamese soldier near the Vu Gia River and completed the mission without incident. After delivering the casualties to a hospital, Major Salter received a request for an emergency medical evacuation of six wounded Marines. Upon arriving over the designated area, and even though the landing zone was receiving sporadic enemy fire, he skillfully maneuvered his helicopter between three hills withy his rotor blades dangerously close to the surrounding terrain. Forced to execute a maximum power takeoff due to the additional weight of the helicopter, Major Salter carefully avoided obstacles on the ground and, skillfully utilizing ground cushion whenever possible, successfully accomplished a translational lift out of the hazardous area and departed for a medical facility. After completing a fourth emergency medical evacuation mission of two wounded Marines, he was directed to proceed to another zone 500 meters away to evacuate three more injured men. Despite the intensity of enemy fire directed at his aircraft, he landed the helicopter in the fire-swept zone and steadfastly remained exposed to heavy enemy fire until the casualties were aboard his aircraft. As he lifted from the hazardous area, the aircraft was repeatedly struck by heavy enemy automatic weapons fire, causing an explosion and fire that severely damaged the helicopter. Rapidly assessing the extent of battle damage, Major Salter decided to attempt an emergency landing on a sandbar along the bank of the Vu Gia River. Quickly briefing the crew members on procedures for removing the wounded from the aircraft, he safely landed the damaged helicopter on the sandbar. Quickly departing the burning aircraft, he assisted the crew in off-loading the wounded, ensured that all weapons aboard the helicopter were removed and organized an effective defensive perimeter around the casualties. Subsequently, after a rescue aircraft arrived and evacuated the entire group to the Marble Mountain Air Facility, Major Salter obtained another helicopter and launched on a night emergency medical evacuation of five casualties from a Marine company heavily engaged with a hostile force of over 100 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers in Quang Nam Province. Upon arriving over the besieged Marines’ position, he was forced to abort his first landing attempt due to the heavy volume of enemy ground fire and elected to extract two injured Marines from an adjacent area which had come under heavy mortar fire. Orbiting the zone until supporting gunships had suppressed the enemy ground fire, he landed and evacuated the casualties and then returned to the original landing zone. Displaying superior airmanship and bold courage, he extinguished his external lights and, guided only by a single strobe light in the zone, skillfully maneuvered his helicopter into the hazardous area. Although his aircraft was immediately subjected to heavy automatic weapons fire, he resolutely remained in the landing zone until all five Marine casualties were safely aboard his aircraft before expeditiously departing the dangerous area for the nearest hospital. Due largely to his determined and courageous actions, he was instrumental in saving numerous Marine lives and inspired all those who observed him. By his exceptional aeronautical ability, bold determination and selfless devotion to duty despite great personal risk, Major Salter upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.