The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel Charles E. Jordan (AFSN: 5154A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United Nations as Pilot of an F-84 Thunderjet Fighter-Bomber and as Leader of a group of forty-four F-84 type aircraft, 58th Fighter-Bomber Group, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea, on 8 December 1952. Immediately after taking off with his group on a mission against enemy bridges in North Korea, Colonel Jordan encountered very adverse weather conditions which would have justified his aborting the mission and returning to his base. Colonel Jordan quickly evaluated the situation and elected to continue the mission. Penetrating the far below marginal weather, Colonel Jordan demonstrated expert navigational ability, breaking out of the overcast in the immediate target area, which was at near maximum distance. Immediately positioning his aircraft, Colonel Jordan attacked, despite the accurate automatic weapons and heavy anti-aircraft fire in the target area, scoring direct hits with his bombs which destroyed a large section of one of the bridges. The danger of enemy aircraft being imminent, Colonel Jordan immediately proceeded to altitude with his flight to protect the remaining attackers and to coordinate the rest of the strike. After the two bridges had been destroyed, Colonel Jordan again exhibited superb navigational skill in safely leading his group back to the base. Through his outstanding professional skill, high personal courage and devotion to duty, Colonel Jordan reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.