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

for service as set forth in the following

               CITATION:

                               "For conspicuous  gallantry  and intrepidity  in action  while serving with Marine Observation Squadron Two, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the en- emy in the Republic of Vietnam.  On 21 April 1969,  First Lieutenant Pennington launched as Pilot of an AH-1G Cobra aircraft assigned to support the emergency medical  evacuation of  seriously wounded  men from  a  Marine unit  which  was heavily engaged with  a large hostile force northwest of  Liberty Bridge in Quang Nam Province.   Arriving over  the designated location,  he learned that previous rescue attempts had been unsuccessful due to intense machine gun fire which had extensively  damaged  one  helicopter  and  forced  the  pilot  of  a second CH-46 transport to abort  his mission.  As the pilot of  the evacuation aircraft commen- ced a  rapid  low-level approach  to the  landing zone,  his aircraft  came under a heavy volume of  enemy fire from two opposite directions.  Repeatedly attacking the hostile positions,  First Lieutenant Pennington,  by his daring maneuvers and judicious utilization of rocket fire,  enabled the transport to complete its mission although  both  helicopters were  hit  by hostile rounds.  During  two  subsequent missions into the same dangerous area,  he continued to disregard his own safety as  he  boldly  executed  skillful  evasive maneuvers  and  accurately  directed  his rockets into firing emplacements manned by determined enemy soldiers,  thereby ensuring the expeditious evacuation of critically injured men.   His heroic actions and  determined  efforts  inspired  all  who observed  him  and  saved the lives of numerous fellow Marines.  By his courage,  superior aeronautical ability and un- wavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger,  First Lieutenant Pennington  contributed significantly  to the accomplishment of the vital mission and upheld  the highest traditions of  the Marine Corps and of  the United States Naval Service."