The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Corps of Engineers) Charles E. O’Brien (ASN: 0-1108896), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 10th Engineer Combat Battalion, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 3 June 1951, the 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment was given the mission of establishing a bridgehead across the Hant’an River and the engineer company had the task of constructing a footbridge over which the troops could pass. As the initial assault group moved against the enemy, Captain O’Brien led an engineer squad forward and, although subject to intense enemy fire, assisted in securing a rope to be used as a guide line. After other units had moved out to follow the assault elements, the engineers, under Captain O’Brien’s astute direction, began construction of a footbridge. Although hostile fire caused casualties, he continually moved about among his men urging them to complete their hazardous task, assisting whenever and wherever necessary. Shortly after the bridge was built and one company had crossed over, enemy fire destroyed it and Captain O’Brien, once more heedless of his personal safety, moved into the open to assist in re-establishing the guide rope, used previously. Captain O’Brien’s confident leadership and personal gallantry inspired his troops to carry on despite disheartening and dangerous opposition reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the military service.