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 Henry Vivas (ASN: RA-12335445), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 19 September 1952 in the vicinity of Chura-dong, North Korea. On that date Private Vivas was a machine gunner in the 3d Platoon when the company moved to attack Hill 266, “Old Baldy”. The 2d Platoon was in the lead on foot, with the 3d Platoon in support position mounted on tanks. At a point approximately 250 yards from the base of the objective, small arms fire was heard from the position of the leading elements. The 3d Platoon began to dismount from the tanks under a heavy barrage of enemy mortar and artillery fire. During this action Private Vivas lost two fingers when hit by a piece of flying shrapnel. With complete disregard for personal safety and despite his serious wounds, he immediately sought a position for his light machine gun. Discovering the tripod of his weapon had been dropped from the tank shortly after the tank had started to move, Private Vivas assumed a prone position, supported the barrel of his weapon with one hand and delivered a deadly stream of fire into the enemy positions until an enemy shell exploded near-by, rendering his weapon useless. Seeing that the crew of an adjacent machine gun had been wounded in the same barrage, Private Vivas, without hesitation, put the unmanned weapon into operation and continued to deliver withering fire upon the enemy until ordered to return to the rear for medical attention. The outstanding gallantry and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Private Vivas reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.