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 against while  serving as  Executive Officer of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, Marine  Aircraft  Group Thirty-Six,  First  Marine Aircraft  Wing  in  connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces  in the Republic of  Vietnam.   On  the  afternoon  of  29 June 1968,  Major  ROTH  launched  as Section  Leader  of  a  flight  of  two CH-46  transport  helicopters  assigned  the emergency extraction of a Marine reconnaissance team that was heavily engaged with a numerically superior enemy force in Quang Nam Province.  Arriving over the designated area, he was searching for the extract position of the friendly unit when his aircraft suddenly came under  intense  hostile  automatic  weapons  fire and sustained several  hits.  Despite  the enemy fire  and  extremely  limited  visi- bility,  he steadfastly continued  to maneuver  his helicopter  over the hazardous area  until  the besieged  unit  was located.  Disregarding  his own  safety,  Major ROTH skillfully hovered his aircraft above dense jungle canopy and directed the difficult hoist extraction of four Marines, including  three casualties.  After expe- ditiously evacuating the  wounded to a medical facility, he resolutely returned to the  hazardous area  and  ably  directed supporting  gunships against  the enemy positions while extracting  the remaining members of  the  reconnaissance  team. As his aircraft departed the location,  it suddenly came under a heavy volume of hostile automatic weapons fire, rendering one of the engines inoperable.  Realiz- ing the seriousness  of  the  situation,  Major  ROTH  skillfully  maneuvered  his helicopter  over a  nearby ridge line and proceeded to a landing zone eight miles away,  safely  executing a forced landing.  His  bold initiative and resolute deter- mination inspired  all who served with him and  contributed  significantly to  the accomplishment  of   the  hazardous  mission.    By  his  courage,   superb  aero- nautical ability  and unwavering  devotion to duty  in the face of  great  personal danger, Major ROTH  upheld the highest traditions of  the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."