The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major John Joseph Tharp (MCSN: 0-71855), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-165), Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 28 January 1968, during Operation BADGER CATCH/SALINE, Major Tharp launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned re-supply missions in support of ground forces in the vicinity of Dong Ha in Quang Tri Province. When informed of a request for emergency medical evacuation of Marines seriously wounded during a heavy engagement with North Vietnamese Army forces, he unhesitatingly proceeded to the area and despite enemy fire, maneuvered his aircraft into the landing zone. Ignoring the heavy enemy mortar and artillery fire impacting in the area, he calmly waited in the zone until the wounded were embarked. Expeditiously lifting out of the area, he answered a request from an adjacent Marine company to evacuate their casualties. Displaying exceptional aeronautical skill and courage, he again braved intense hostile fire as he maneuvered his aircraft into the landing zone. Remaining exposed to enemy fire until the injured were placed aboard his helicopter, he then departed the hazardous area and proceeded to the medical facility aboard an aircraft carrier off-shore. After returning to his re-supply mission and delivering several loads of essential supplies and ammunition, Major Tharp again answered an emergency request for medical evacuation from one of the previous Marine positions. Despite facial cuts from flying Plexiglas fragments as hostile fire struck the cockpit during his approach to the landing zone, he exhibited exceptional presence of mind and resolute determination as he resolutely maintained control of the aircraft and landed next to the medical evacuees. While the wounded were being embarked, a fire fight erupted between the North Vietnamese and Marines around the helicopter. Rapidly completing the embarkation operation, he lifted out of the area and landed at an adjacent company’s area where he extracted additional casualties before returning to the medical facility aboard ship. After exchanging his battle damaged helicopter, Major Tharp completed two more ship-to-shore external supply lifts when he diverted for the third time to the same battle areas in response to emergency requests for the evacuation of injured Marines. Despite approaching darkness and the heavy volume of hostile mortar and artillery fire as he landed in the zone, he embarked the casualties, proceeded to an adjacent zone to embark other wounded Marines and expeditiously departed the hazardous area. Due largely to his bold and resolute actions, twenty-four seriously wounded Marines were evacuated, undoubtedly saving numerous lives. By his courage, superior aeronautical ability and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Major Tharp upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.