The  President  of  the  United  States  takes  pleasure  in  presenting  the SILVER STAR MEDAL to

for service as set forth in the following

                 CITATION:

                                 "For conspicuous gallantry  and intrepidity  in action while serving  as  a  Pilot  with   Marine  Medium  Helicopter  Squadron  364,  Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen,  First Marine Aircraft Wing  in connection with  combat operations against the enemy in the  Republic of Vietnam.  Late on  the night of 12 February 1969,  First Lieutenant Brennan  launched  as  Section Leader  of  a flight of  two  CH-46 transport helicopters assigned  the medical evacuation of  a casualty from a  Second Republic of Korea Marine Brigade unit heavily engaged with a  hostile force in Quang Nam Province.  Arriving over the designated area, he was briefed on  the tactical situation and  was informed  that the landing zone was  under enemy rocket-propelled grenade, mortar, small arms, and  automatic weapons  fire.  Forced to abort  his first approach because of the intensity of  the hostile   fire,  several  rounds of  which  damaged  his  aircraft,  First  Lieutenant Brennan,  realizing   the  urgency  of  extracting  the   wounded  man,  resolutely commenced his second approach.  After requesting the ground force to pinpoint the enemy positions with ground  flares and extinguishing  his helicopter's exter- nal  running   lights,  he  skillfully  coordinated   his  approach  with  the  fire  of supporting  Marine gunships and landed in  the fire-swept area.  Quickly embar- king  the  Korean  Marine,  he  departed  for  the  nearest  medical facility.  First Lieutenant Brennan  obtained another CH-46 transport helicopter when the first one was grounded because of extensive battle damage and resolutely returned to the  hazardous  area.  Undaunted by the extremely  heavy volume  of hostile fire again  directed  against  his  aircraft  and  the  lack  of  supporting  gunships,  he completely disregarded his own safety as he fearlessly maneuvered his helicopter through the withering enemy fire and landed in the dangerous area. Ignoring the hostile  rounds  impacting  in  the  area,  he boldly remained  in his  dangerously exposed position until  all the wounded were embarked before lifting out  of  the hazardous area  and departing for the medical facility.  By  his courage, superior airmanship  and  unwavering  devotion  to  duty  in  the  face  of  great  personal danger,  First Lieutenant Brennan  was  instrumental  in  saving  the  lives of the Korean Marines  and upheld the  highest traditions of  the  Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."