The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Lewis Dot Madden, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Fire Team Leader of a heavy helicopter fire team attached to Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron THREE, Detachments FIVE and NINE on 23 May 1971. In the early morning, Lieutenant Madden’s fire team was scrambled to Hoa Binh outpost which was under heavy mortar, rocket and sapper attack. He navigated the fire team over unfamiliar terrain to the outpost and, once there, assessed the situation and directed his copilot and two wingmen in a series of rocket attacks extremely close to the wall of the outpost. After rearming and repairing his battle damaged aircraft, Lieutenant Madden returned his fire team to the outpost and took charge as on scene commander of two Army medical evacuation helicopters rendezvoused overhead. Responding to the plight of the hard pressed outpost, he deployed his team to destroy attackers on the walls and perimeter, suppressing the hostile action long enough to make a low level reconnaissance with flares, seeking a landing spot for the Army rescue aircraft and escorting the helicopter into the landing zone. When the rescue aircraft suddenly lost power and wend down just outside the perimeter, Lieutenant Madden instantly reacted to cover the downed aircraft and protected the second aircraft going into the outpost. Rescuing the crew and a wounded advisor, he escorted them out and departed to rearm and refuel. Upon learning that an Army Assault Package was en route, he coordinated with the command and control aircraft and prepared a landing zone for the Assault Package to successfully insert troops. Signaling the end of organized attack, they secured the outpost while Lieutenant Madden used his fire team to harass enemy escape routes, closing a six-hour operation with the total dispersion of the enemy. Lieutenant Madden’s devotion to duty, courage under fire, and outstanding leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.