The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Charles E. Durant, Jr. (MCSN: 1071150), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gun Ammunition Carrier of Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 23 September 1950. With his gun crew pinned down by enemy machine gun fire during an attack by his company against a strong hostile position, Private First Class Durant fearlessly exposed himself to the direct enemy fire and, single-handedly rushing the position, succeeded in destroying the gun with a hand grenade. Returning to his gun and manning it himself, he placed accurate and effective fire on the enemy, pinning them down and aiding the advance of his company toward the objective. By his daring initiative, courage and fortitude at great risk to his own life, Private First Class Durant served as an inspiration to all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.