The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Charles O. Taylor, Jr. (ASN: 38291819), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Palo, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 22 October 1944. Staff Sergeant Taylor was in charge of an M-7 self-propelled mount section which was set up on three sides, but the fourth side remained exposed because of an aid station about thirty feet away. At about 2330 hours, Staff Sergeant Taylor noticed a squad of Japanese, who had penetrated the outer perimeter, approaching the mount and aid station. Immediately he opened fire with a sub-machine gun, killing several of the enemy and dispersing the remainder. Soon the position began to receive sniper fire and grenades. Under the cover of this fire, a Japanese soldier with a box mine tried to blow up the mount. As the mount contained three tons of ammunition and 180 gallons of gasoline, Staff Sergeant Taylor realized that if it were blown up, all of his section would probably be killed and the aid station destroyed. With complete disregard for his personal safety, under heavy grenade fire, he crawled out on the road and killed the Japanese soldier just three feet form the mount. Although he had been wounded by one of the grenades, he returned to his fox hole and kept a constant watch throughout the night. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Taylor, 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.