The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Charles M. Williams (ASN: 0-1311076), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Heavy Mortar Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 25 May 1951, in the vicinity of Hadektari, Korea. A rifle battalion, supported by a tank and a mortar platoon was attacking when the tank column and the rifle troops were halted by the intense fire of a well-camouflaged and entrenched enemy. Realizing that the success of the offensive depended on the immediate resumption of the advance, Lieutenant Williams, the mortar platoon leader, with utter disregard for his personal safety, voluntarily left his relatively safe position to direct mortar fire on the enemy. Lieutenant Williams proceeded under heavy enemy small arms and machine gun fire to the most forward tank, upon which he climbed and deliberately exposed himself to heavy enemy fire in order to direct the mortar fire on the enemy. He remained in this exposed position and continued to direct heavy mortar fire until the enemy was neutralized and the tanks were able to proceed to their objective. The gallantry in action displayed by Lieutenant Williams reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.