The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Charles M. DeFrance (ASN: RA-14348430), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, near Kumsong, Korea, during the night of 7 – 8 November 1951. His platoon, holding a defensive position, was savagely attacked shortly before midnight by a large number of fanatical enemy troops. Private DeFrance, an Automatic Rifleman, repeatedly exposed himself to answer the thick enemy fire with deadly accurate bursts from his own weapon. During the raging conflict, the automatic rifleman protecting the platoon’s right flank was put out of action by wounds. Realizing the danger of an enemy breakthrough in that sector, Private DeFrance unhesitatingly crawled through a nearby impenetrable blanket of enemy fire to the vacated position and resumed firing into the onrushing enemy hordes with such devastating effect that he broke up their charge. His magnificent one-man defense, however, soon made him the focus of heavy machine gun fire. In the ensuing duel, he was seriously wounded twice but, with complete disregard for his own welfare, continued firing, killing several enemy soldiers, until he died from the injuries he received. Private DeFrance’s gallant actions, indomitable spirit and self-sacrificing devotion to duty contributed immeasurably to the successful repulsion of the enemy and reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.