The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] Warren H. Charleston (ASN: 0-553697), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 27 February 1945, in Germany. First Lieutenant Charleston, during intensive enemy action, volunteered to crawl under enemy fire to lead troops from a pinned down position. He led the pinned down men through a ditch to a cleared town, and upon reaching the town organized clearing parties which searched the houses. First Lieutenant Charleston’s courage in volunteering for the perilous task of crawling back through treacherous grazing enemy machine gun fire, after he had already once gained the relative safety of the town, to urge the men from their precarious position, and his aggressive leadership at a time when the men were badly disorganized, aided materially in his company’s seizure of the objective. The bravery, aggressive determination, and exemplary leadership exhibited by First Lieutenant Charleston reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Warren H. Charleston (ASN: 0-553697), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 13 April 1945, in Germany. While advancing toward an enemy town, First Lieutenant Charleston’s platoon was pinned down by heavy machine gun fire from enemy positions whose location had not previously been known. Despite the withering fire directed on him, First Lieutenant Charleston fearlessly advanced a distance of two hundred yards to determine the location of the enemy strongpoints and formulate the best plan of attack. Calling for support from artillery and tank destroyers, he returned to and led his men forward in a successful attack on the enemy town. First Lieutenant Charleston’s courage and skillful leadership reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.