The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Charles Lewis Waples (ASN: 0-2212059), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 19 November 1950, in the vicinity of Samin-ni, Korea. Lieutenant Waples led his platoon to the assistance of a two-platoon patrol which had been ambushed by the enemy. The patrol was completely surrounded and under severe automatic weapons and small arms fire. Lieutenant Waples exposed himself to enemy fire to make a reconnaissance of the situation. Having estimated the tactical situation, he remained in an exposed position to direct his men along the right flank of the enemy and directly into hostile fire. When his platoon had punctured the enemy lines, Lieutenant Waples directed the surrounded men through to safety. Lieutenant Waples personally accounted for ten enemy dead while his platoon suffered only one casualty. The gallant conduct displayed by Lieutenant Waples reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.