The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Fourth Class Charles Earle Crafts (ASN: US-51479671), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 29 December 1964, assigned to the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, while serving as a Radio Operator and Advisor to the 33d Vietnamese Ranger Battalion, in support of combat operations near Binh Gia, Vietnam. While accompanying two Vietnamese Ranger Battalions to a landing zone to repel a Viet Cong force, they were ambushed by an estimated 5,000 troops from the newly formed 9th Viet Cong Division. During the initial onslaught of automatic weapon, mortar, and rocket propelled grenade fire, numerous Vietnamese Rangers were wounded or killed. Specialist Fourth Class Crafts moved about the battlefield to organize and encourage his men to continue to fend off the determined enemy. He refused air evacuation twice due to the intense volume of fire on his position, ultimately resulting in his capture. Specialist Fourth Class Crafts’ valorous actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.