Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    3d Reconnaissance Battalion

    Division:

    3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    May 17, 1969

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Charles W. Herman (MCSN: 2329901), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Reconnaissance Scout with Company E, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 17 May 1969. A six-man reconnaissance team from Company E, operating four miles southwest of Khe Sanh, came under a heavy volume of hand grenade and small arms fire from a numerically superior enemy force and three Marines were mortally wounded. Although seriously wounded by fragments from a hostile grenade, Corporal Herman fearlessly moved throughout the fire-swept terrain and, throwing hand grenades and delivering an intense volume of rifle fire upon the attacking enemy force, killed two North Vietnamese Army soldiers. While administering emergency first aid to his wounded companions, he fired his M-16 rifle at the hostile force and thereby temporarily slowed the enemy’s assault. Alertly observing that a seriously wounded Marine was attempting to operate the radio and was losing consciousness, Corporal Herman took over his position and directed an aerial observer to the team while he continued delivering a devastatingly accurate volume of fire upon the enemy. Throughout the interminable fire fight, he continuously encouraged his comrades and skillfully directed their suppressive fire upon the North Vietnamese Army force until a helicopter arrived and extracted the team. By his courage, timely actions, aggressive fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Corporal Herman upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.