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  Executive  Officer  of   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.   On  7 May 1969, Major Cox launched as Division Leader  of a flight of  three CH-46  trans- port  helicopters assigned the mission of inserting a Marine reconnaissance team into an area near a suspected enemy base camp five miles southwest  of An Hoa. Aborting  his  first approach to  the landing  zone when  he encountered  intense hostile ground fire,  he then  selected an  alternate insertion site, maneuvered his aircraft to a landing in an area covered by  tall elephant grass, and  began to dis- embark  his  eight-man increment.   When  the  team  came  under  an extremely heavy volume of enemy  small arms and automatic weapons fire,  it immediately began reboarding the CH-46.  Advised  that all the Marine  were aboard,  Major Cox was lifting out  of the area when he received  a report that  three team mem- bers  were  still on  the ground.   Undaunted  by  the  intensity  of the hostile fire directed  against  his  aircraft,  he completely  disregarded his  own safety  as  he boldly  maneuvered  his  helicopter  to a landing and  resolutely remained  in the fire-swept  zone until the three men  had embarked.  As the CH-46 began  to  lift out of the  dangerous area,  one of the  team members  was struck  by an  enemy round and thrown from the ramp to the ground. When informed of the incident, Major Cox  again  braved the  heavy volume of hostile  fire as  he  landed  in the hazardous area and fearlessly remained in his precarious position for the  fifteen minutes required to locate  the seriously injured and unconscious Marine,  carry him to the helicopter, and place hIm aboard.  Skillfully maneuvering his aircraft to elude enemy fire,  he then lifted out of the perilous  area and proceeded to the medical  facility at An Hoa.   By his courage,  superior airmanship and unwaver- ing devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Major Cox was instru- mental in saving the lives of several of his fellow Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."