The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Charles Bates Brook (NSN: 0-63328), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a staff officer with the Fourth Battalion, Fourth Marines, at Fort Mills, Corregidor, Philippine Islands. On 6 May 1942, upon commitment of the Regimental Reserve, when the north flank of the Battalion was held up by the fire of an advantageously located enemy 75 millimeter gun, he, from a temporary command post, with a grasp of the situation totally unexpected due to his previous training as a Naval Officer, with outstanding initiative and utter disregard for his personal safety, courageously and without hesitation, organized a heterogeneous group of available personnel consisting of Navy, Marine, Army and Filipino troops, attacked, and destroyed the enemy position. Though seriously wounded in the assault his direction accomplished the dangerous mission. His resolute conduct and devotion to duty throughout this period of fierce combat reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.