The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Sergeant First Class] Charles L. Hafeli (ASN: 0-2262600), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 13 December 1950, near Yongan-ni, Korea, a vast enemy force had attacked and overrun the forward positions of E Company’s perimeter. In an attempt to relieve the besieged emplacements, Lieutenant Hafeli organized a counterattack, led an assault on the enemy troops. Lieutenant Hafeli fell wounded in the attack, but crawling forward to an outpost he discovered that it contained four men, two severely wounded. Completely ignoring the intense hostile fire, Lieutenant Hafeli remained in the open beside the foxhole directing the fire of the uninjured men and adjusting mortar fire which he had called for. Realizing that the most seriously wounded soldier needed immediate medical aid, Lieutenant Hafeli placed the soldier on a blanket, and despite his own wound, laboriously dragged him up the forward slope and over the crest of a hill to comparative safety. Only after seeing that his unit’s position was secure, did Lieutenant Hafeli permit his painful wounds to be treated. The selfless gallantry and outstanding fortitude displayed by Lieutenant Hafeli reflects the highest credit upon himself and the honored traditions of the military service.