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.   On 9 May 1969, First Lieutenant  Donovan  launched  as  Section  Leader  of  a  flight  of  two  CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency  medical evacuation of  ten  casual- ties  from a Marine  company  which was heavily engaged in combat with a large North Vietnamese  Army  force near  the  village of  My Hiep (3) in Quang  Nam Province.    Arriving  over  the  designated   area,  he  found  that  the   wounded Marines were  located in  five separate positions  scattered  about  the  open  rice paddies and  that the proximity of the opposing  forces precluded the delivery of suppressive  fire  by  supporting  aircraft.   Undaunted  by  the  extremely  heavy volume of hostile fire  directed  at  his  aircraft,  First Lieutenant Donovan  fear- lessly maneuvered into the precarious area,  located the first group of casualties, skillfully executed a landing, and resolutely remained in his dangerously exposed position until all the casualties were embarked.   With complete disregard for his own safety, he continued to brave the  intense North Vietnamese small arms and automatic weapons fire as  he  boldly  air-taxied  his  helicopter  at  low  altitude across  the rice  paddies to each  of  the four  other  positions  and  succeeded  in extracting all of the remaining casualties.   By his courage,  superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty  in  the  face  of  great  personal  danger,  First Lieutenant Donovan  was  instrumental  in accomplishing the hazardous mission and upheld the highest traditions  of the Marine Corps and of the  United States Naval Service."