The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant [then Staff Sergeant] Charles H. Keaton (ASN: 6971758), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action on 5 September 1944, as aerial photographer on a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber during an operational mission to Budapest, Hungary. After the bomb load had been released, Sergeant Keaton crawled into an open bomb bay to release an armed bomb which had been only partially released and was hanging now down, endangering the aircraft and the lives of the crew members. Although wounded by flak while engaged in this precarious task and without a parachute or oxygen, he continued his efforts until successful in releasing the bomb. The outstanding courage and fortitude displayed by Sergeant Keaton reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.