The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Charles F. Murphy, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Makin Atoll, Gilbert Islands, on 20 November 1943. Following an assault platoon, the machine gun squad of which Corporal Murphy was a member, encountered three well-camouflaged enemy emplacements. Two of these were palm log shelters and one a concrete pillbox. This soldier worked his way to within a few yards of one of the log shelters whereupon Corporal Murphy killed the enemy as they emerged from the opposite entrance. He then crawled to the concrete pillbox and reduced it in the same manner. By his aggressive action and utter disregard for his own safety, he eliminated a serious threat to his squad and the assault platoon it was supporting. Corporal Murphy’s exemplary performance of duty in active ground combat was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 165th Infantry Regiment, and the United States Army.