The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Charles P. Mersing (ASN: RA-13276559), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Namgye-dong, Korea, on 21 September 1950. During an attack, the 3d Battalion of the 21st Infantry Regiment was held up by fire from enemy tanks. Private Mersing, a 3.5 inch rocket launcher gunner, volunteered to join a patrol attempting to flank the enemy’s armor and strike from his rear. Observing one of the tanks, he moved forward, and by his effective fire crippled it. Advancing, he observed another tank and although he had only one round of ammunition remaining he again moved forward, with utter disregard for his own safety, into the face of the tank’s machine gun fire. Reaching a position along side the tank he fired his last round shattering the gun barrel and forcing the tank’s withdrawal thus permitting the continued advance of the battalion. His gallant actions and unhesitant devotion to duty reflect great credit on himself and the United States Infantry.