The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Michael Corwin Kippenhan, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force as a Forward Air Controller of the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, directing fighter strikes near Ben Quang, North Vietnam on 26 August 1967. On that date, Captain Kippenhan was flying a visual reconnaissance mission in the vicinity of a heavily camouflaged surface-to-air missile site that was a threat to friend air forces in the area. Due to the low overcast cloud conditions, fighter aircraft were unable to locate and destroy this SAM site. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Kippenhan made repeated passes over heavy and accurate anti-aircraft artillery fire attempting to identify the site for the waiting fighter-bombers. On the last pass, his aircraft was hit and severely damaged, forcing him to bail out over hostile territory. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Kippenhan has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.