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 Thirty-Six,  First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with  oper- ations  against  the  enemy  in  the  Republic  of  Vietnam.    On  the  night  of  4 February 1968, Major PARSONS  launched  as  the  Aircraft  Commander  of  a CH-46  transport helicopter assigned an  emergency medical evacuation  mission in support  of a Marine unit  which had sustained seventeen casualties during an engagement with the enemy in Hue City.  Although visibility was well below that considered  safe for  helicopter flights,  he volunteered  to attempt the hazardous mission upon learning that several of the casualties required immediate  medical attention.  Utilizing a radar monitored departure and precision tracking enroute, he  arrived  over  the  area  and  descended  through  the  cloud layer.  Unable to locate the  landing zone  due to  the adverse weather conditions, he  immediately climbed above the overcast and requested another vectored approach.   Directed back to the site,  his aircraft was hit by enemy .50  caliber machine gun  fire as it descended through the clouds, forcing him to abort his approach and depart the area.  Although his  aircraft again came under hostile ground fire  during a third approach into the designated landing zone, Major PARSONS, refusing  to abort the  mission,  resolutely descended through the  thick overcast  and made  visual contact with the  landing zone on  his fourth approach.   Disregarding the enemy fire directed at his aircraft, he skillfully avoided numerous small buildings in the area  which  were  barely  discernible  in  the thick fog  and safely landed  in  the designated  landing zone  which was located  behind a  two-story building.  After calmly remaining  in the hazardous area for approximately ten minutes while the casualties were embarked, Major PARSONS utilized a radar controlled vector to safely  depart  the hazardous  area and  transport  the  wounded  to  the medical facility at Phu Bai.  His exemplary airmanship and sincere concern for his fellow Marines  were   an  inspiration  to  all  who   served  with   him  and  contributed significantly  to  the  accomplishment  of the hazardous mission.  By his courage exceptional aeronautical skill and steadfast  devotion  to duty at  great  personal risk, Major PARSONS upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."