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 Captain (Infantry) Charles Edward Getz (ASN: 0-87133), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Captain Getz distinguished himself by exceptional heroism in action on 8 October 1966, while serving as Commanding Officer of Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), during a search and clear operations along the coast of the South China Sea, Republic of Vietnam. On receiving information that approximately twenty Viet Cong were hiding in caves on a small island, Captain Getz organized a pair of two-man teams armed with bayonets to dive into the hazardous waters. Captain Getz personally led the men in locating the underwater cave entrances. His personal example in diving into the water, locating one of the caves, and bringing a Viet Cong to the surface encouraged two other men in their attempt to seek out further enemy soldiers. Diving repeatedly into the rough seas, the swimmers brought two Viet Cong to the surface. In one cave, Captain Getz engaged four Viet Cong, and in the struggle killed one of the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. Despite the strong undertow and coral covered rocks, Captain Getz and the other swimmers repeatedly dived into the water, bringing up a total of seventeen Viet Cong with supplies, food, and arms. When, on the last dive, one of the men was swept out to sea, Captain Getz went to his rescue, and with the assistance of another swimmer pulled the man to safety. Captain Getz’s conspicuous gallantry is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Major (Infantry), [then Captain] Charles Edward Getz (ASN: 0-87133), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Major Getz distinguished himself on 27 and 28 February 1967, while serving as Commanding Officer of Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), during a combat air assault mission near Bong Son, Republic of Vietnam. After making a reconnaissance of the area, Major Getz positioned his platoon leaders while receiving heavy sniper fire from a small village. Noticing several cane fields to the front of his positions which blocked the fields of fire, Major Getz rushed forward and began burning them way. The North Vietnamese soldiers in the village observed his action and took him under fire, but he remained in the open area until he had set the entire field ablaze. That night, while keeping close watch on his under strength positions as they received sporadic sniper fire, Major Getz moved forward under increasing fire to recover a mortally wounded soldier. Early the next morning, an artillery preparation was fired prior to launching an attack on the village. When one man was wounded, Major Getz again raced forward without regard for the flying shrapnel and helped pull the soldier to a safe area. The company then began its attack on the village, but immediately met heavy resistance which almost halted the assault. Major Getz rushed to the front of the assault element and started to charge the enemy. Inspired by their commander’s courageous act, Major Getz’ men aggressively charged and successfully swept through the village, sustaining a minimum number of casualties. Major Getz’ extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in close combat are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

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 a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Charles Edward Getz (ASN: 0-87133), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Getz distinguished himself by intrepid actions on 9 February 1971, while serving as Battalion Commander with the 1st Battalion, 52d Infantry Regiment, 23d Infantry Division. On that date, while on a reconnaissance flight over a heavily vegetated area, Major Getz spotted several North Vietnamese Army Regulars on a trail. Immediately he had the helicopter land so that he could pursue the enemy. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Major Getz ran after the insurgents, wounding one of them in the leg and arm. He then moved back to the aircraft and instructed the pilot to move to where the wounded enemy soldier was for pick-up. Major Getz then moved back to the wounded insurgent and waited for the helicopter. When the aircraft arrived it came under intense small arms fire from an unknown size enemy force. Disregarding the danger involved, Major Getz moved through the open area with the wounded insurgent to the helicopter. Due to his timely and courageous actions, several important documents were captured along with the enemy soldier, who was identified as a North Vietnamese Army Officer. Major Getz’ personal heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 23d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Charles Edward Getz (ASN: 0-87133), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Getz distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 52d Infantry Regiment, 23d Infantry Division (Americal), in action against the enemy in 1970. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Getz, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

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 a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Charles Edward Getz (ASN: 0-87133), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Getz distinguished himself by intrepid actions on 12 November 1970, while serving as the Battalion Commander with the 1st Battalion, 52d Infantry Regiment, 23d Infantry Division. On that date, an element of the battalion was conducting a night raid on the Village of Cay Thi (1) approximately ten miles west of the village of My Lai. Major Getz led one of the elements into the village and immediately received intense fire from the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers hiding in different positions. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he charged through the intense hostile fire and silenced one Viet Cong soldier who had been shooting from the concealment of a tree. He exposed himself on another occasion while running to the aid of a wounded comrade. Upon arriving at this position, he placed effective fire on those enemy who had been responsible for wounding the American soldier. After silencing this position, he exposed himself to North Vietnamese sniper fire while assisting in evacuation of the wounded man. This action in the village resulted in the elimination of a significant number of the enemy. While moving back to their night defensive position, his element was fired on by an unknown size hostile force. Quickly grabbing a machinegun, he led an element across an open field and proceeded to silence the remaining enemy force. Through his timely and courageous actions, he contributed greatly to the success of the operation and was instrumental in inflicting numerous casualties upon the enemy. Major Getz’ personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 23d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.