The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Charles Eugene Watson (ASN: RA-18092082), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 3 July 1951, near Chich’on, Korea, Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry was subjected to heavy machine gun and rifle fire while attacking a firmly defended enemy peak. The concentrated enemy fire became so intense it stopped the movement of the company’s forward elements. Sergeant Watson, realizing only accurate mortar fire could aid his comrades, moved immediately to an uncovered firing position and commenced adjusting fire while exposed to a hail of enemy bullets. Massed enemy machine gun fire cut the canteen from Sergeant Watson’s belt and tore his carbine from his grasp, but he remained there until three enemy machine guns were destroyed and the assault elements were again able to advance. Sergeant Watson’s decisive action and display of heroism reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.