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  afternoon  of  7 February  1969,   Fist  Lieutenant  Sullivan   launched  as  Aircraft   Commander aboard a  CH-46  transport helicopter  assigned to helilift a recovery  team  to  a crash site in Quang Nam Province to retrieve five fatally injured Marines  whose aircraft  had  come  under intense  hostile fire  and  crashed  while  engaged  in a medical evacuation  mission.  Arriving over the designated area,  he ignored  the enemy fire  directed  against his helicopter as he orbited the area and was briefed on the ground situation.  Undaunted by the  extremely heavy volume  of  hostile small arms, automatic weapons, and machine gun fire,  he skillfully directed  the delivery  of his crew's  suppressive  machine gun fire and  fearlessly  maneuvered through  the hail of enemy fire  to land  near the  downed aircraft.   Oblivious to the  hostile  rounds  impacting  near  his  CH-46,  he  resolutely  remained  in his dangerously exposed position while his  recovery  team  disembarked  and  three wounded Marines  were placed aboard.  Departing  the area for the nearest med- ical  facility, he  disembarked  the casualties  and quickly  returned to the  belea- guered  Marines'  position.    Despite  the  darkness,   adverse  weather,  and  the increasing intensity of enemy fire,  First Lieutenant Sullivan completely disregar- ded  his own safety  as he boldly maneuvered his  CH-46 into the hazardous area and resolutely held his  position on  the ground until the  Marine casualties  and salvaged items were placed aboard and the recovery team embarked before man- euvering  his  heavily loaded helicopter out of he dangerous  area and  departing for the Marble Mountain Air Facility.   By his courage, superior airmanship and unwavering  devotion to duty in the face of great personal risk,  First Lieutenant Sullivan was instrumental in the accomplishment of  the hazardous mission  and upheld the  highest  traditions  of  the  Marine Corps  and of  the  United  States Naval Service."