The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Field Artillery) Charles S. Finch (ASN: 0-5328510), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 220th Reconnaissance Airplane Company, 11th Aviation Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam on 25 October 1968. Captain Finch distinguished himself while serving as an aviator on a combat operation, in support of beleaguered friendly units, who were in heavy contact with enemy forces in the demilitarized zone. He completely disregarded his own safety as he braved the threatening weather and extremely intensive hostile ground fires to conduct artillery fire missions, naval gunfire from the U.S.S. NEW JERSEY, helicopter gunships, armor firepower, and tactical airstrikes against the enemy. When hostile positions were too close to friendly ground elements to use other means, Captain Finch engaged them with his M-16 as he made low passes over them, killing three and silencing two machinegun positions. Later, as darkness approached, he escorted medevac helicopters to their landing zones, in extremely poor visibility and under heavy volumes of ground fire. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.