The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Charles H. West, Jr. (ASN: RA-14765198), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant West distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 February 1968 while serving as a Track Commander with Troop L, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, on a reconnaissance in fore mission in the Republic of Vietnam. While conducting a mechanized counter attack against an unknown sized Viet Cong force, Sergeant West’s platoon began receiving intense rocket and automatic weapons fire from the right flank. Immediately maneuvering his vehicle to the right flank of the column, Sergeant West pinpointed the enemy locations and brought them under accurate suppressive fire, enabling his platoon to overrun the main enemy force without being subjected to flank fire. A later search of the area revealed that Sergeant West was responsible for the destruction of two antitank positions and the death of eight insurgents. Staff Sergeant West’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a Viet Cong force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.