The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Charles Joseph Blake, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 228th Field Artillery Battalion, 228th Field Artillery Group (Separate), in action against the enemy in Germany, in 1945. Lieutenant Colonel Blake, without regard to personal danger, left his reconnaissance party and reconnoitered a forward position under enemy fire. When a battery was receiving serious counter fire, Lieutenant Colonel Blake went immediately to the battery and personally directed evacuation of the wounded and the extinguishing of a fire on a tractor, thereby saving the lives of men and preventing the total loss of valuable material. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Blake, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.