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  operations  against  the enemy in the Republic  of   Vietnam.    On  11  January  1969,  Captain  Keckler  launched  as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emer- gency evacuation of two seriously wounded Marines from a patrol  operating  in Quang  Nam  Province.    Forced  to  abort  his  first  landing attempt because of intense  hostile  fire,   he  alertly  detected  many  enemy  firing  positions  as  he climbed out of the area and transmitted their location for subsequent supporting arms fire and air strikes.   When informed  of the wounded Marines' critical con- dition,   he  refused  to  wait  for  supporting  gunships,   following  the   friendly bombardment of the hostile positions, and  resolutely commenced his  approach to  the  landing  zone.   Advised  to wave off when he  encountered  an extremely heavy  volume  of  enemy  small  arms  and  automatic  weapons  fire,  he boldly elected to continue  his mission  and fearlessly  maneuvered his CH-46 to a land- ing near the casualties.  Undaunted by the hostile rounds impacting around him, several of which  struck his aircraft,  Captain Keckler  steadfastly maintained his dangerously exposed  position on the ground until both evacuees were embarked before lifting out of the fire-swept area.  As he began to  clear  the  area,  he  was informed that another Marine was  seriously wounded  and would require imme- diate evacuation.   Skillfully coordinating his  third approach with the air strikes of fixed wing  aircraft,  and  although  advised  to  abort  his  landing,  he  again braved  intense enemy  fire and  maneuvered to a landing.   Calmly waiting until the casualty was embarked, he then  departed  for the  nearest  medical  facility.  Subsequent inspection of his  aircraft revealed such extensive battle damage that it  was  grounded.   By  his  courage,  bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Captain Keckler  was  instrumental  in saving the lives of three Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."