The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery), [then Major] Charles Edward Nason Howard, Jr. (ASN: 0-18521), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 88th Field Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts), in action against the enemy in the Philippine Islands, on 23 February 1942. Lieutenant Colonel Howard displayed gallantry in action on Bataan, Philippine Islands. Under heavy enemy artillery fire and repeated dive-bomber attacks, he kept his command post and fire direction center in operation. Seeing a fire, started by a bursting shell in a nearby cane field, rapidly approach a filled ammunition truck, Lieutenant Colonel Howard drove the vehicle, without regard for his own safety, through the falling explosives to a place of security. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Howard, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.