SILVER STAR MEDAL
 The SILVER STAR MEDAL is presented to Marines who demonstrate determination and heroic courage under fire.  The Silver Star Medal is the third highest award for valor that our Country can bestow upon a member of our Armed Forces.

Mike Everett's Silver Star Citation:

 
 
 
 
                                  The  President  of  the  United   States   takes  pleasure  in   presenting   the
              SILVER  STAR  MEDAL to
   
LANCE  CORPORAL  MICHAEL  T.  EVERETT
    
UNITED  STATES  MARINE  CORPS
   
              for service as set forth in the following
   
                                 CITATION:
  
                                                       "For  conspicuous  gallantry  and  intrepidity  in  action  while 
              serving   with   Marine   Medium  Helicopter  Squadron  165,  Marine  Aircraft  Group
              Sixteen, First  Marine  Aircraft  Wing  in  connection with  combat operations  against
              the   enemy   in   the   Repulic  of   Vietnam.    On   the  night  of  15  April  1969,  Lance
              Corporal Everett launched  as Crew Chief  aboard  the  lead aircraft in a flight of two
              CH-46  transport  helicopters  assigned a medical evacuation  mission  near DaNang.
              Arriving over the designated area, he skillfully guided the pilot as he maneuvered the
              aircraft  into  a  hover  over the  pick-up  zone,  then  lowered  a  stretcher  on  a hoist.
              When  it did  not  reach  the  ground, he  again  assisted  the  pilot  as he  lowered  the
              helicopter  below  the  level of  the  treetops,  then  kept  him  advised of  the  situation
              during  the  entire  ten  minutes  it  took to complete  the extraction.  After the casualty
              was transported to a  medical facility,  his  helicopter  was  assigned  to  extract  three
              seriously wounded Korean Marines.   Two previous medical evacuation attempts had
              failed  when   the   aircraft   were   badly  damaged   by   enemy   fire.   While   his  pilot
              maneuvered   the   aircraft   into   the   zone,   under   the   suppressive   fire   from   two
              supporting   gunships.   Lance  Corporal  Everett  unhesitatingly  exposed  himself   to
              hostile  fire as he  leaned  out of  the  right door of the helicopter and guided the pilot
              to a  safe landing in the hazardous zone.   After helping to embark the injured men, he
              again  assisted  the  pilot  as  they  departed  the  landing  zone.  A  few hours later, he
              launched on  a  mission  to  extract  the  wounded  members  of a reconnaissance team
              which  was  surrounded  by  the  enemy.    By  the  time  his  aircraft  arrived   over  the
              designated area,  it had become necessary to extract the entire eight-man team, seven
              of  whom  had  been  wounded.  When  the  helicopter  landed  on  a  small knoll thirty
              meters up the slope from the team's position,Lance Corporal Everett, accompanied by
              the corpsman,  fearlessly left his aircraft and,  for twenty-five minutes,  searched in the
              darkness for the  wounded  Marines. Upon  locating  each  casualty,  Lance Corporal
              Everett  braved  the  intense  enemy  fire,  raking  the  area as he carried the wounded
              back  up  the  hill  and  placed  them  on  the  helicopter  for  evacuation  and,  as  the
              helicopter departed  the  area,  he  assisted  the  corpsman  administer  first aid to the
              casualties.  By his courage,  resolute determination and unwavering devotion to duty
              in  the  face  of  great  personal  danger,   Lance  Corporal  Everett  inspired  all  who
              observed him  and  upheld  the  highest  traditions  of  the  Marine  Corps  and  of the 
              United States Naval Service."
 
 
 

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